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271
The Folk-lore of Plants
·
T. F. Thiselton-Dyer
105
"Many
rains,
many
rowans;
Many
rowans,
many
yawns,"
The
meaning
being
that
an
abundance
of
rowans--the
fruit
of
the
mountain-ash--denote
a
deficient
harvest.
Among
further
sayings
of
this
kind
may
be
noticed
one
relating
to
the
onion,
which
is
thus:--
"Onion's
skin
very
thin,
Mild-winter's
coming
in;
Onion's
skin
thick
and
tough,
Coming
winter
cold
and
rough."
Again,
many
of
our
peasantry
have
long
been
accustomed
to
arrange
their
farming
pursuits
from
the
indications
given
them
by
sundry
trees
and
plants.
Thus
it
is
said--
"When
the
sloe
tree
is
as
white
as
a
sheet,
Sow
your
barley
whether
it
be
dry
or
wet."
With
which
may
be
compared
another
piece
of
weather-lore:--
"When
the
oak
puts
on
his
gosling
grey,
'Tis
time
to
sow
barley
night
or
day."
The
leafing
of
the
elm
has
from
time
immemorial
been
made
to
regulate
agricultural
operations,
and
hence
the
old
rule:--
"When
the
elmen
leaf
is
as
big
as
a
mouse's
ear,
Then
to
sow
barley
never
fear.
When
the
elmen
leaf
is
as
big
as
an
ox's
eye,
Then
say
I,
'Hie,
boys,
hie!'"
A
Warwickshire
variation
is:--
"When
elm
leaves
are
big
as
a
shilling,
Plant
kidney
beans,
if
to
plant
'em
you're
willing.
When
elm
leaves
are
as
big
as
a
penny,
You
must
plant
kidney
beans
if
you
mean
to
have
any."
But
if
the
grass
grow
in
January,
the
husbandman
is
recommended
to
"lock
his
grain
in
the
granary,"
while
a
further
proverb
informs
us
that:--
"On
Candlemas
Day
if
the
thorns
hang
a
drop,
You
are
sure
of
a
good
pea
crop."
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