In the same way the weather of certain seasons of the year is
supposed to influence the vegetable world, and in Rutlandshire 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