Part 10 (2/2)

CHAPTER X.

PLANTS AND THE WEATHER.

The influence of the weather on plants is an agricultural belief which is firmly credited by the modern husbandman. In many instances his meteorological notions are the result of observation, although in some cases the reason a.s.signed for certain pieces of weather-lore is far from obvious. Incidental allusion has already been made to the astrological doctrine of the influence of the moon's changes on plants--a belief which still retains its hold in most agricultural districts. It appears that in years gone by ”neither sowing, planting, nor grafting was ever undertaken without a scrupulous attention to the increase or waning of the moon;”[1] and the advice given by Tusser in his ”Five Hundred Points of Husbandry” is not forgotten even at the present day:--

”Sow peas and beans in the wane of the moon, Who soweth them sooner, he soweth too soon, That they with the planet may rest and rise, And flourish with bearing, most plentiful-wise.”

Many of the old gardening books give the same advice, although by some it has been severely ridiculed.

Scott, in his ”Discoverie of Witchcraft,” notes how, ”the poor husbandman perceiveth that the increase of the moon maketh plants fruitful, so as in the full moone they are in best strength, decaying in the wane, and in the conjunction do entirely wither and fade.”

Similarly the growth of mushrooms is said to be affected by the weather, and in Devons.h.i.+re apples ”shrump up” if picked during a waning moon.[2]

One reason, perhaps, for the attention so universally paid to the moon's changes in agricultural pursuits is, writes Mr. Farrer, ”that they are far more remarkable than any of the sun's, and more calculated to inspire dread by the nocturnal darkness they contend with, and hence are held in popular fancy nearly everywhere, to cause, portend, or accord with changes in the lot of mortals, and all things terrestrial.”[3]

On this a.s.sumption may be explained the idea that the, ”moon's wane makes things on earth to wane; when it is new or full it is everywhere the proper season for new crops to be sown.” In the Hervey Islands cocoa-nuts are generally planted in the full of the moon, the size of the latter being regarded as symbolical of the ultimate fulness of the fruit.

In the same way the weather of certain seasons of the year is supposed to influence the vegetable world, and in Rutlands.h.i.+re we are told that ”a green Christmas brings a heavy harvest;” but a full moon about Christmas Day is unlucky, hence the adage:

”Light Christmas, light wheatsheaf, Dark Christmas, heavy wheatsheaf.”

If the weather be clear on Candlemas Day ”corn and fruits will then be dear,” and ”whoever doth plant or sow on Shrove Tuesday, it will always remain green.” According to a piece of weather-lore in Sweden, there is a saying that to strew ash branches in a field on Ash Wednesday is equivalent to three days' rain and three days' sun. Rain on Easter Day foretells a good harvest but poor hay crop, while thunder on All Fool's Day ”brings good crops of corn and hay.” According to the ”Shepherd's Calendar,” if, ”Midsummer Day be never so little rainy the hazel and walnut will be scarce; corn smitten in many places; but apples, pears, and plums will not be hurt.” And we are further reminded:--

”Till St. James's Day be come and gone, There may be hops or there may be none.”

Speaking of hops, it is said, ”plenty of ladybirds, plenty of hops.”

It is also a popular notion among our peasantry that if a drop of rain hang on an oat at this season there will be a good crop. Another agricultural adage says:--

”No tempest, good July, lest corn come off bluely.”

Then there is the old Michaelmas rhyme:--

”At Michaelmas time, or a little before, Half an apple goes to the core; At Christmas time, or a little after, A crab in the hedge, and thanks to the grafter.”

On the other hand, the blossoming of plants at certain times is said to be an indication of the coming weather, and so when the bramble blooms early in June an early harvest may be expected; and in the northern counties the peasant judges of the advance of the year by the appearance of the daisy, affirming that ”spring has not arrived till you can set your foot on twelve daisies.” We are also told that when many hawthorn blossoms are seen a severe winter will follow; and, according to Wilsford, ”the broom having plenty of blossoms is a sign of a fruitful year of corn.” A Surrey proverb tells us that ”It's always cold when the blackthorn comes into flower;” and there is the rhyme which reminds us that:--

”If the oak is out before the ash, 'Twill be a summer of wet and splash; But if the ash is before the oak, 'Twill be a summer of fire and smoke.”

There are several versions of this piece of weather-lore, an old Kentish one being ”Oak, smoke; ash, quash;” and according to a version given in Notes and Queries (1st Series v. 71):--

”If the oak's before the ash, then you'll only get a splash, If the ash precedes the oak, then you may expect a soak.”

From the ”Shepherd's Calendar” we learn that, ”If in the fall of the leaf in October many leaves wither on the boughs and hang there, it betokens a frosty winter and much snow,” with which may be compared a Devons.h.i.+re saying:--

”If good apples you would have The leaves must go into the grave.”

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