The Folk-lore of Plants

"For though the camomile, the more it is trodden on, the faster it grows; yet youth, the more it is wasted, the sooner it wears." There are many proverbs associated with the oak. Referring to its growth, we are told that "The willow will buy a horse before the oak will pay for a saddle," the allusion being, of course, to the different rates at which trees grow. That occasionally some trifling event may have the most momentous issues is thus exemplified:-- "The smallest axe may fell the largest oak;" Although, on the other hand, it is said that:-- "An oak is not felled at one chop." A further variation of the same idea tells us how:-- "Little strokes fell great oaks," In connection with which may be quoted the words of Ovid to the same effect:-- "Quid magis est durum saxo? Quid mollius unda? Dura taneu molli saxa cavantur aqua?" Then, again, it is commonly said that:-- "Oaks may fall when seeds brave the storm." And to give one more illustration:-- "The greatest oaks have been little acorns." Similarly, with trees in general, we find a good number of proverbs. Thus one informs us that "Wise men in the world are like timber trees in a hedge, here and there one." That there is some good in every one is illustrated by this saying--"There's no tree but bears some fruit." The familiar proverb, that "The tree is no sooner down but every one runs for his hatchet," explains itself, whereas "The highest tree hath the greater fall," which, in its moral application, is equally true. Again, an agricultural precept enjoins the farmer to "Set trees poor and they will grow rich; set them rich and they will grow poor," that is, remove them out of a more barren into a fatter soil. That success can only be gained by toil is illustrated in this proverb--"He that would have the fruit must climb the tree," and once more it is said that "He who plants trees loves others beside himself."