484
Folklore from Adams County Illinois (3 rd Edition, 2002, from 1935 and 1965 Editions) By Harry Middleton Hyatt [Ed. by John Schleppenbach] Table of Contents CLIMATE (1-948) WEATHER SIGNS (1-889) Sun - Moon - Star - Colored Sky - Rainbow (1-122) Clouds - Lightning - Thunder - Storm (123-185) Wind - Whirlwind - Rain - Snow (186-293) Freeze - Frost - Thaw - Mist - Fog - Dew (294-329) Bubbles - Water Level - Spring - Well - River (330-336) Weather on Special Days and during Various Seasons (337-372) Blackberry - Cocklebur - Clover - Corn (373-392) Dandelion - Flower - Grass - Milkweed (393-400) Mushroom - Onion - Purslane - Raspberry (401-410) Tree: Bloom - Foliage - Bark - Moss - Gall (411-428) Nuts: Acorn - Beechnut - Hazelnut - Hickorynut - Walnut (429-433) Weed - Vegetable - Violet - Wheat (434-438) Insect - Ant - Bee - Butterfly - Caterpillar (439-469) Cricket - Fly - Gnat - Hornet - June Bug (470-481) Lightning Bug - Locust (Cicada) - Snail - Spider (482-499) Tumblebug - Wasp - Woodtick - Worm (500-509) Crawfish - Eel - Fish - Turtle - Frog - Toad - Snake (510-548) Bird - Blackbird - Bluebird - Blue Jay - Buzzard (549-572) Crow - Dove - Wild Duck and Goose - Hawk (573-586) Meadow Lark - Owl - Parrot - Phoebe - Quail (587-605) Redbird (Cardinal) - Robin - Snipe - Snowbird (Junko) (606-619) Sparrow - Swallow - Thrush - Whippoorwill (620-629) Chicken - Crowing Rooster - Duck - Goose (630-679) Guinea - Peacock - Pigeon - Turkey (680-692) Bat - Bear - Beaver - Cat - Cow - Dog (693-752) Ground Hog (Woodchuck) - Hog - Horse and Mule (753-777) Mouse - Mole - Muskrat - Rabbit - Raccoon and Opossum (778-794) Sheep - Skunk (Polecat) - Squirrel - Weasel (795-807) Human: Bone - Ear - Feet - Hair - Head - Nose - Stomach (808-821) Chimney - Door - Floor - Gate - Window (822-829) Carpet - Camphor Bottle - Chair - Clothesline (830-833) Glassware - Lamp or Lantern - Kettle - Tobacco - Pipe (834-837) Iron Objects - Washcloth or Sponge - Waterpipe (838-840) Fire - Smoke - Soot (841-852) Food - Cooking - Eating - Drinking (853-866) Burning Brush - Shutting and Opening Gate (867-868) Flying Kite - Moving Day - Picnic - Preventing Rain (869-873) Singing in Bath - Stopping Swing - Telephone - Umbrella (874-878) Kicking up Rug - Shoes Squeaking - Person Falling (879-881) Women on Street - Baby Carriage - Washing and Cleaning (882-887) Fireworks - ammunition - Battle during War (888-889) PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING (890-907) INFLUENCE OF WEATHER ON CROPS (908-948) PLANTS (949-1329) FARM AND GARDEN RULES (949-966) CLOVER - GRASS - WEEDS (967-1011) FLOWERS (1012-1082) VEGETABLES (1083-1208) Time of Day for Planting (1083-1093) Planting by the Zodiac (1094-1125) Planting in the Moon (1126-1135) Planting according to Wind (1136) Planting at Blossom-Time (1137-1139) Special Planting Days (1140-1168) Sex and Planting (1169-1170) Temper and Planter (1171-1173) Planting Rhymes (1174-1177) Planting Incantations (1178-1186) Miscellaneous Beliefs (1187-1208) CORN -OATS -WHEAT (1209-1249)

Folklore from Adams County Illinoisdocshare01.docshare.tips/files/2026/20263999.pdf · 2016. 11. 18. · Folklore from Adams County Illinois (3rd Edition, 2002, from 1935 and 1965

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  • Folklore from Adams County Illinois (3rd Edition, 2002, from 1935 and 1965 Editions)

    By Harry Middleton Hyatt [Ed. by John Schleppenbach]

    Table of Contents CLIMATE (1-948)

    WEATHER SIGNS (1-889) Sun - Moon - Star - Colored Sky - Rainbow (1-122) Clouds - Lightning - Thunder - Storm (123-185) Wind - Whirlwind - Rain - Snow (186-293) Freeze - Frost - Thaw - Mist - Fog - Dew (294-329) Bubbles - Water Level - Spring - Well - River (330-336) Weather on Special Days and during Various Seasons (337-372) Blackberry - Cocklebur - Clover - Corn (373-392) Dandelion - Flower - Grass - Milkweed (393-400) Mushroom - Onion - Purslane - Raspberry (401-410) Tree: Bloom - Foliage - Bark - Moss - Gall (411-428) Nuts: Acorn - Beechnut - Hazelnut - Hickorynut - Walnut (429-433) Weed - Vegetable - Violet - Wheat (434-438) Insect - Ant - Bee - Butterfly - Caterpillar (439-469) Cricket - Fly - Gnat - Hornet - June Bug (470-481) Lightning Bug - Locust (Cicada) - Snail - Spider (482-499) Tumblebug - Wasp - Woodtick - Worm (500-509) Crawfish - Eel - Fish - Turtle - Frog - Toad - Snake (510-548) Bird - Blackbird - Bluebird - Blue Jay - Buzzard (549-572) Crow - Dove - Wild Duck and Goose - Hawk (573-586) Meadow Lark - Owl - Parrot - Phoebe - Quail (587-605) Redbird (Cardinal) - Robin - Snipe - Snowbird (Junko) (606-619) Sparrow - Swallow - Thrush - Whippoorwill (620-629) Chicken - Crowing Rooster - Duck - Goose (630-679) Guinea - Peacock - Pigeon - Turkey (680-692) Bat - Bear - Beaver - Cat - Cow - Dog (693-752) Ground Hog (Woodchuck) - Hog - Horse and Mule (753-777) Mouse - Mole - Muskrat - Rabbit - Raccoon and Opossum (778-794) Sheep - Skunk (Polecat) - Squirrel - Weasel (795-807) Human: Bone - Ear - Feet - Hair - Head - Nose - Stomach (808-821) Chimney - Door - Floor - Gate - Window (822-829) Carpet - Camphor Bottle - Chair - Clothesline (830-833) Glassware - Lamp or Lantern - Kettle - Tobacco - Pipe (834-837) Iron Objects - Washcloth or Sponge - Waterpipe (838-840) Fire - Smoke - Soot (841-852) Food - Cooking - Eating - Drinking (853-866) Burning Brush - Shutting and Opening Gate (867-868) Flying Kite - Moving Day - Picnic - Preventing Rain (869-873) Singing in Bath - Stopping Swing - Telephone - Umbrella (874-878) Kicking up Rug - Shoes Squeaking - Person Falling (879-881) Women on Street - Baby Carriage - Washing and Cleaning (882-887) Fireworks - ammunition - Battle during War (888-889)

    PROTECTION AGAINST LIGHTNING (890-907) INFLUENCE OF WEATHER ON CROPS (908-948)

    PLANTS (949-1329)

    FARM AND GARDEN RULES (949-966) CLOVER - GRASS - WEEDS (967-1011) FLOWERS (1012-1082) VEGETABLES (1083-1208)

    Time of Day for Planting (1083-1093) Planting by the Zodiac (1094-1125) Planting in the Moon (1126-1135) Planting according to Wind (1136) Planting at Blossom-Time (1137-1139) Special Planting Days (1140-1168) Sex and Planting (1169-1170) Temper and Planter (1171-1173) Planting Rhymes (1174-1177) Planting Incantations (1178-1186) Miscellaneous Beliefs (1187-1208)

    CORN -OATS -WHEAT (1209-1249)

  • TREES -SHRUBBERY - VINES (1250-1329) ANIMALS (1330-2582)

    SMALL FORMS OF AIR AND LAND LIFE (1330-1529) Insect - Ant -Bedbug - Bee - Butterfly (1330-1379) Caterpillar - Centipede - Cricket - Doodle Bug (1380-1404) Dragon fly - Flea - Fly - Grasshopper - Katydid (1405-1424) Lady Bug - Lightning Bug (Firefly) - Locust (1425-1435) Lice - Moth - Snail - Spider (1436-1522) Tumblebug - Wasp - Worm (1523-1529)

    AQUATIC ANIMAL LIFE (1530-1543) Sea Shell - Oyster - Crayfish (1530-1536) Fish - Gold fish - Minnow - Perch (1537-1543)

    FROG - TOAD - LIZARD - SNAKE - TURTLE (1544-1617) BIRDS (1618-1771)

    Birds - Blackbird - Bluebird - Blue Jay - Canary (1618-1660) Cedar Waxwing - Crow - Dove - Eagle - Hawk (1661-1687) Kingfisher - Martin - Owl - Parrot - Phoebe (1688-1723) Quail - Redbird - Robin - Sparrow - Swallow (1724-1758) Turkey Buzzard - Whippoorwill - Woodpecker - Wren (1759-1771)

    CHICKEN -HEN -EGGS -ROOSTER (1772-1975) DUCK - GOOSE - GUINEA - PEACOCK - PIGEON - TURKEY (1976-2001) WILD ANIMALS (2002-2061)

    Bat - Guinea Pig - Mice - Rabbit - Raccoon (2002-2044) Rat -Skunk - Squirrel - Flying Squirrel (2045-2061)

    CATS (2062-2219) DOGS (2220-2319) FARM STOCK IN GENERAL (2320-2339) STOCK BREEDING (2340-2354) SHEEP (2355-2360) HOGS (2361-2399) COWS (2400-2478) HORSES AND MULES (2479-2582)

    BIRTH AND INFANCY (2583-3533)

    WHO WILL HAVE A BABY (2583-2623) NUMBER OF CHILDREN YOU WILL HAVE (2624-2639) TWINS AND TRIPLETS (2640-2660) DETERMINANTS OF SEX (2661-2720) BIRTHMARK (2721-2886)

    Cause of Birthmark (2721-2837) Prevention of Birthmarks (2838-2849) Removal of Birthmarks (2850-2886)

    CONTRACEPTIVES -ABORTION -MISCARRIAGE (2887-2913) GESTATION (2914-2951)

    Labor Pains - Afterbirth - Caul - Naval Cord (2952-3037) Premature Birth - Stillborn (3038 - 3040) Posthumous Child - Seventh Son (3041-3050)

    DIRECTIONS FOR CONFINEMENT (3051-3067) TIME OF BIRTH (3068-3107) PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF BABIES (3108-3137) CARE OF INFANT (3138-3352)

    Layette - Cradle - Moving Baby about House (3138-3210) Baby Taken on Visit - Visit to Baby (3211-3244) To Give Baby Curly Hair - Haircut for Baby (3245-3261) Baby’s Nails Trimmed - Measuring Baby (3262-3271) Baby tickled - Picture of Baby (3272-3278) Baby and Mirror - Disposition of Baby (3279-3305) Baby’s Health - Slobbering Baby (3306-3332) Baby Falling out of Bed (3333-3336) Learning to Walk and Talk (3337-3352)

    DENTITION (3353-3419) First Appearance and Number of Teeth (3353-3360) Teething Remedies (3361-3419)

    LACTATION (3420-3484) Caked Breasts - Weaning - To Dry up Breasts (3420-3484)

    BAPTISM -NAMING -SPONSORS OR GODPARENTS (3485-3510) DETERMINATION AND DIVINATION OF CHILD'S FUTURE (3511-3533)

    THE HUMAN BODY (3534-4523)

  • GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS (3534-3549) HEAD-FOREHEAD-CHEEK- CHIN-FACE-NECK (3550-3583) HAIR (3584-3814)

    Quantity of Hair - White or Grey Hair (3584-3606) Light and Dark Hair - Red Hair - Curly Hair (3607-3640) Cowlick - Crown - Beard and Mustache - Washing Hair (3641-3671) Cutting Hair - Combing Hair - Disposal of Hair (3672-3791)

    MOUTH - LIPS - TONGUE (3792-3814) TEETH (3815-3858) LAUGHING - CRYING - YAWNING - WHISTLING - SPITTING (3859-3900) SINGING (3901-3927) SPEAKING (3928-3980) EARS (3981-4014) EYES - CROSS-EYES (4015-4069) NOSE - SNEEZING (4070-4179) BACK - BELLY - BUTTOCKS - SHOULDER - ARM - ELBOW (4180-4203) HANDS - FINGERS (4204-4285) FINGER-NAILS AND TOE-NAILS (4286-4374) LEGS -KNEES -ANKLES -FEET (4375-4415) MOLES ON THE BODY (4416-4477) BEAUTY (4478-4523)

    FOLK MEDICINE (4524-7213)

    SICKNESS AND HEALTH (4524-4638) General Remedies (4524-4582) Sickbed (4583-4635) Healer (4636-4638)

    AMPUTATIONS AND SURGICAL OPERATIONS (4639-4649) APPENDICITIS (4650-4654) AURAL AFFLICTIONS (4655-4686)

    Earache (4655-4678) Hearing and Deafness (4679-4686)

    BACKACHE AND LUMBAGO (4687-4698) BITES AND STINGS

    Dog Bit - Insect Bite or Sting - Snake Bite (4699-4744) BLEEDING

    Cuts - Nosebleed (4745-4831) BOWEL TROUBLE (4832-4846) BURNS (4847-4860) CHILLS (4861-4897) FEBRILE DISEASES (4898-4967)

    Fever - Malaria - Measles (4898-4949) Scarlet Fever - Smallpox - Typhoid Fever (4950-4967)

    FEMALE DISORDERS (4968-4992) FOOT AND HAND AILMENTS (4993-5177)

    Ingrowing Toe-Nail - Sweaty Feet - Frostbitten (4993-5019) Sore Feet - Foot or Hand Cramp or Pain - Corns (5020-5144) Swelling - Gout - Splinter - Nail Wound - Sprain (5145-5177)

    GOITRE (5178-5232) HEADACHE (5233-5300) MUMPS (5301-5310) MUSCULAR COMPLAINTS

    Crick - Hiccough - Sideache - Swimming Cramps (5311-5365) NERVE MALADIES (5366-5402)

    Hysteria - Nervousness (5366-5368) Neuralgia - Neuritis - Shingles (5369-5402)

    OCULAR MATTERS (5403-5510) Bi-Colored Eyes - Blindness - Cataract and Growth (5403-5411) Cross-Eyes - Pink Eye - Particle in Eye (5412-5421) Sore or Weak Eyes - Sty - Sun Pains (5422-5510)

    PAROXYSM Colic - Epilepsy - Spasm - Piles (5511-5603)

    PULMONARY AFFECTIONS Lung Trouble - Pneumonia - Tuberculosis (5604-5639)

    RESPIRATORY DISTURBANCES Asthma - Catarrh - Hay Fever (5640-5676)

    RHEUMATISM (5677-5804) SKIN COMPLICATIONS (5805-5904)

    Blister - Chafing - Chapping - Eczema - Erysipelas (5805-5827) Freckles - Hives - Itch - Pimple - Poison Ivy (5828-5890)

  • Rash - Scrofula - Tetter - Thrush (5891-5904) SLEEP DIFFICULTIES (5905-6004)

    Insomnia - Snoring - Sleep-Talking (5905-5948) Sleep-Walking - Night Sweat - Nightmare (5949-6004)

    SORE AND BEDSORE (6005-6039) STOMACH DISORDERS (6040-6071) THROAT INFIRMITIES (6072-6219)

    Cold - Cough - Croup - Diphtheria (6072-6147) Sore throat - Tonsilitis - Whooping Cough (6148-6219)

    TOOTHACHE (6220-6261) TUMOR - CANCER - BOIL (6262-6293) URINARY PROBLEMS

    Bed Wetting - Kidney Trouble (6294-6325) WART ORIGINS (6326-6335) WART DOCTOR (6336-6340) WART CURES (6341-7051)

    Apple - Bacon - Baking Soda - Bean - Beef (6341-6452) Bone - Bread - Broomstraw - Button (6453-6476) Castor Oil - Chalk - Chicken - Cloth or Rag (6477-6508) Corn - Counting - Crossroad - Dandelion (6509-6574) Dead: (6575-6610)

    Cemetery - Grave - Tombstone - Coffin - Corpse - Funeral Bell - Candle - Procession Dish Rag - Dog - Dress - Elder - Hair - Horse (6611-6675) Match - Meat - Milkweed - Moon - Nail (6676-6718) Needle - Onion - Osage Orange - Paper (6719-6764) Pea - Peach - Pebble - Penny - Pin - Pork (6765-6821) Potato - Raisin - Ring - Rock - Saliva (6822-6891) Salt - Shoe - Soap - Snow - Spoon - Stick (6892-6906) Straw - String and Thread and Yarn - Teeth (6907-6975) Tomato - Tree - Turtle - Water - Wishing (6976-7000) Miscellaneous Wart Cures – One Each (7001-7051)

    Beet - Menstrual Blood - Breath (7001-7003) Burning - Cow Manure - Cross sign (7004-7006) Dew - Dime - Dishwater - Elm - Fingernail (7007-7011) Fly-Flea-Flue - May Flowers - Friday - Frog (7012-7015) Grapevine - Hazel - Hickory - New House (7016-7019) Jimson Weed - Lamp Wick - Lemon - Lime (7020-7023) Liver - Negro - Nickel (Coin) - Nightshade (7024-7027) Pencil - Pin - Peroxide - Pine Board (7028-7030) Potato Bug - Rice - Rubber Band - Sand (7031-7034) Sassafras - Scissors - Silver - Snail Shell (7035-7038) Soot - Sow Urine - Spider Web - Splinter (7039-7042) Suet - Sword - Silver Thimble - Toad Urine (7043-7046) Toenail Parings - Toothpick - wild turnip (7047-7049) Own Urine - Green Walnut (7050-7051)

    WHITLOW: FELON - RING-AROUND - RUN-AROUND (7052-7066) WORMS AND RINGWORM (7067-7095) YELLOW JAUNDICE AND GALLSTONES (7096-7114) MISCELLANEOUS CURES (7115-7213)

    Dead Bone - Diabetes - Dropsy - Drunkenness (7115-7126) “Fallen Palate” - “Falling-Off” or “Flesh-Decay” (7127-7132) Heart Trouble - Insanity - “Livergrown” (7133-7155) Kernel - Wen - Mole (7156-7167) Pain - Paralysis - Peritonitis - Poison (7168-7179) Rupture - Seasickness - Trainsickness - Stuttering (7180-7196) Sunstroke - Swallowing - Venereal Disease - Vomiting (7197-7213)

    DREAMS (7214-8376)

    DREAMS MADE TRUE (7214-7239) INTERPRETATION OF DREAMS (7278-8376)

    Sky - Water - Land (7278-7398) Flowers - Provender - Vegetables - Fruit - Trees (7399-7481) Insects - Worms (7482-7517) Fish - Frog - Toad - Turtle - Snake (7518-7561) Bird - chicken - Duck - Goose - Pigeon - Turkey (7562-7626) Eggs - Feathers (7627-7650) Animals - Ape - Bear - Cat - Cow - Dog (7651-7694) Donkey - Elephant - Goat - Hog - Horse (7695-7733)

    Lion - Mice - Mule - Rabbit - Rat - Sheep (7734-7749)

  • Birth - Baby - Children (7750- 7771) Man - Woman - Negro - Family - Blood (7772-7821) Eyes - Face - Feet - Hair - Skin - Teeth (7822-7854) Sickness and Health (7855-7885) Anger - Fight - Quarrel - Friend (7886-7900) Crying - Laughing - Singing - Kissing (7901-7921) Naked - Clothes - Personal Ornaments (7922-7977) Wedding - House - Household Equipment (7978-8054) Fire-Stove - Smoke - Ashes - Matches (8055-8076) Food and Drink (8077-8121) Waving - Climbing - Crawling - Falling - Flying (8122-8138) Riding - Running - Traveling - Walking (8139-8149) Vehicle - Road - Lost - Crowd - Meeting (8150-8173) Letter - Mailman - Telegram - Money (8174-8215) Thief - Policeman - Prison (8216-8225) Pastimes (8226-8248) Religious Matters (8249-8269) The Dead - Coffin - Grave - Cemetery (8270-8343) Murder - Hanging - Headless (8344-8349) Miscellaneous Dreams (8350-8376)

    WISHES (8377-8798 194

    GENERAL PRINCIPLES (8377-8387) WHEN A WISH MAY BE MADE (8388-8798)

    Sun - Moon - Star (8388-8432) Thunder - Lightning - Rain - Rainbow (8433-8437) Water - Bridge - Reflection in Water (8438-8450) Plant Life (8456-8506)

    Double Almond - Apple - Beans or Peas (8456-8462) Boy Britches - Clover - Corn - Dandelion (8463-8484) Flower - Fruit - Hay - Lettuce - Lilac (8485-8498) Love Vine - Maple - Onion - Peach (8499-8502) Persimmon - Potato - Vegetable - Wheat (8503-8506)

    Insects: Butterfly - Lightning Bug - Spider (8507-8512) Frog (8513) Birds: (8514-8541

    Bluebird - Buzzard - Owl - Redbird - Robin - Dove - Whippoorwill - Woodpecker Chicken: (8542-8559)

    Gizzard - Heart - Egg - Wishbone Cat - Dog - Horse - Mule (8560-8594) Mouse - Rabbit - Squirrel (8595-8599) Human Body (8600-8798)

    Hunchback - Ear - Eyelash - Face (8600-8606) Head - Hair - Combing - Red-Headed Woman (8607-8619) Hand and Fingernail (8620-8624) 200 Blister - Bruise - Bump (8625-8626) Wooden Leg - Toe - Tooth - Sneeze (8627-8637)

    Simultaneous Speech (8638-8644) Clothes (8645-8693)

    Dress: Turned Up - Backward - Wrong Side Out (8645-8654) Hat - Shoe - Shoestring - Stocking - Garter (8655-8666) Pin - Hairpin - Ring (8667-8693)

    Household Matters (8694-8741) Going to Bed and Getting up (8694-8706) Sweeping - Broom - Mop (8707-8711) Eating - Birthday Cake - Pie - Coffee - Tea (8712-8720) Dish Rag - Towel - Knife - Fork - Spoon (8721-8729) Saw - Scissors - Thimble - Salt - Pepper (8730-8736)

    Coal - Match - String - Lamp - Letter (8737-8741) Automobile - Baseball - Button - Your double (8742-8748) New Friend - Three Hour Service - Hill Climbing (8749-8753) Horseshoe - Strange or New House - Forgetting (8754-8774) Key - Lucky Strike - Nail - Negro Wedding (8775-8783) Penny - Dime - Machinery - Schoolhouse - Sidewalk (8784-8791) Park Bench - Freight Train - Wagon - Woman or Man (8792-8798)

    LOVE BELIEFS AND RITES (8799-9894) FROM SKY AND WATER AND LAND (8799-8912)

    Moon and Stars (8799-8829) Water in: Glass - Pan - Cup - Tub (8830-8853)

  • Molten Lead in Water (8854-8857) Drinking Water: Swallowing - Spilling - Throwing (8858-8866) Well - Spring - Running Water (8867-8895) Ground - Pebbles - Sand (8896-8912)

    LOVE SAYINGS AND PLANTS (8913-9080) Clover (8913-8943) Weeds Mostly (8944-8963)

    Cattail - Dandelion - Mayapple - Milkweed (8944-8952) Mistletoe - Holly - Plantain - Mullein - Thistle (8953-8963)

    Flowers (8964-8984) Bouquet - Daisy - Hollyhock - Ivy (8964-8972) Live-For-Ever and Love Vine (8973-8977) Old-Man-Plant - Rose - Sunflower - Zinnia (8978-8984)

    Vegetables: Beans - Cucumber - Cabbage - Onion (8985-8990) Peas - Potato - Sage - Turnip (8991-9004)

    Grain - Hay - Straw: Corn - Rye - Wheat (9005-9020) Berries: Gooseberry - Colored Berry - Twin Berry (9021-9024) Nuts: (9025-9034)

    Acorn - Buckeye - Beechnut - Chestnut (9025-9029) Coconut - Hazelnut - Nutmeg - Walnut (9030-9034)

    Apple - Lemon - Trees (9035-9080) ANIMALS AND LOVE BELIEFS (9081-9216)

    Insects: (9081-9094) Butterfly - Measuring Worm (Caterpillar) (9081-9084) June Bug - Lightning Bug - Mosquito (9085-9087) Spider - Tumble Bu - Wasp (9088-9094)

    Snail - fish - Frog - Toad - Snake (9095-9102) Birds: (9103-9143)

    Canary - Dove - Hawk - Humming Bird (9103-9119) Owl - Redbird - Robin - Turkey Buzzard (9120-9139) Whippoorwill - Unspecified Birds (9140-9143)

    Poultry: Chicken - Goose - Peacock - Pigeon - Turkey (9144-9174) Rabbit - Cat - Dog - Cow - Horse - Mule (9175-9216)

    HUMAN BODY AND LOVE-LORE (9217-9333) Head - Hair - Eye - Ear - Nose (9217-9247) Nosebleed - Sneezing - Cheeks - Teeth (9248-9259) Hiccough - Blister - Kiss - Chin - Shoulder (9260-9276) Breast - Belly - Mole - Shiver - Skin (9277-9281) Elbow - Hand - Fingers - Fingernails (9282-9319) Toenails - Knee - Leg - Feet - Big Toe (9320-9333)

    SIGNS FROM LOVE ITSELF (9334-9344) Love and Marriage:

    Loving Same Man (9334) Thinking of Beau - First Date (9335-9337) Lovers’ Quarrel - Three Weddings - First Marriage (9338-9344)

    Love Letter (9345-9373) HOUSE AND ENVIRONS AND LOVE (9374-9832)

    The Building (9374-9396) First Night in House - Bedroom - Papering - Stairs (9374-9384) Through Window - Cellar Door - Rain Barrel (9385-9389) Circumambulating House - Gate - Fence (9390-9396)

    Household Equipment (9397-9476) Bed - Candle - Chair - Clock - Ladder (9397-9423) Lamp - Mirror - Paper and Naming - Photograph (9424-9454) Knife - Fork - Spoon - Table (9455-9476)

    Match and Fire (9477-9494) Food and Drink (9495-9548) “Dumb Supper” or “Silent Supper” (9549-9584)

    (1) Set-Table Variant (9549-9561) (2) Egg Variant (9562-9575) (3) Salt Variant (9576-9584)

    Cleaning (9585-9625) Bath - Dish Water - Mop - Broom and Sweeping (9585-9619) Washing Clothes - Ironing - Bed Making (9620-9625)

    Sewing (9626-9681) Thimble - Thread - Ball of Yarn - Needle (9626-9646) Scissors - Pin - Hairpin - Safety Pin - Button (9647-9681)

    Clothes (9682-9759) Dress - Pants - Shirt - Necktie (9682-9712)

  • Stockings - Socks - Garters (9713-9732) Shoes - Shoe Strings - Hat (9733-9759)

    Clothing Accessories (9760-9877) Apron - Gloves - Handkerchief - Purse - Penknife (9760-9796) Ring - Earrings - Beads - Breastpin - Hairbrush (9797-9820) Nailfile - Watch - Cuff Links - Umbrella (9821-9877)

    SAYINGS ABOUT LOVE FROM WALKING FORTH (9833-9877) LOVE BELIEFS AND PASTIMES (9878-9894)

    MARRIAGE (9895-10340)

    WHOM TO MARRY (9895-9917) Birthday - Physical Considerations (9895-9910) Disposition - Name (9911-9917)

    PROPOSAL (9918-9922) ENGAGEMENT (9923-9941) TIME OF WEDDING (9942-9979) WEATHER AT WEDDING (9980-9997) BRIDAL ATTIRE (9998-10113)

    Material - Color - Borrowed - Old and New (9998-10037) Making - Preview - Care - Veil (10038-10064) Slippers - Ornaments - Ring - Flowers (10065-10113)

    THE WEDDING (10114-10209) Dressing for - Affected by Death (10114-10139) To and From Church - At Altar (10140 - 10194) Bridal Kiss - Tears at Wedding (10195-10209)

    WEDDING FESTIVITIES (10210-10301) Things Thrown - Presents - Feast (10210-10268) Charivari - Entering New Home - First Night (10269-10301)

    MARRIED LIFE (10302-10340) CLOTHING AND DRESSING (10341-11154)

    SEWING (10341-10636) Time to Sew - Mending (10341-10406) Thimble - Thread - Needle - Scissors (10407-10490) Pin - Hairpin - Safety Pin - Button (10491-10636)

    FOOTWEAR (10637-10817) Shoes - Shoestrings - Stockings - Socks - Garters (10637-10817)

    DRESS -PETTICOAT -PANTS -SHIRT -COAT -NIGHTGOWN (10818-10977) Color - New - Gift and Loan (10818-10858) Time of Wearing - Order of Dressing (10859-10879) Backwards - Wrong Side Out - Crooked (10880-10909) Upturned Hem - Exposure - Tear - Stain - Hole (10910-10956) Ravel and Basting - Care of Clothes (10957-10977)

    HAT AND CAP (10978-11021) CLOTHING ACCESSORIES (11022-11154)

    Apron - Gloves - Handkerchief - Purse - Beads (11022-11079) Belt - Breastpin - Earrings - Charm - Locket (11080-11096) Ring - Birthstones - Gems - Eyeglasses - Umbrella (11097-11154)

    HOUSEHOLD ACTIVITIES (11155-12644)

    CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIRS (11155-11169) TOOLS - NAIL - LADDER (11170-11216) RENTING OR BUYING (11217-11222) MOVING (11223-11350) FURNITURE (11351-11506)

    Unspecified - Bed - Bric-a-brac - Chair (11351-11415) Clock - Watch - Curtain - Shade - Mirror (11416-11480) Picture - Photograph - Table - Trunk - Key (11481-11506)

    KITCHEN AND DINING-ROOM ARTICLES (11507-11704) Knife - Fork - Spoon (11507-11633) Bread Knife - Butcher Knife - Pocket Knife (11634-11653) Dishes - Glassware - Oil Cloth (11654-11680) Pan - Skillet - String - Kettle - Bucket - Pitcher (11681-11688) Tablecloth - Napkin - Toothpick (11689-11704)

    HEAT AND LIGHT (11705-11778) Match - Fire - Stove - Ashes - Candle - Lamp (11705-11778)

    DRINK AND FOOD (11779-11999) Water - Alcohol - Wine Making - Coffee - Tea (11779-11866) Tobacco - Salt - Pepper - Sugar - Vinegar (11867-11972) Jelly - Preserves - Pickles - Sauerkraut (11973-11999)

  • BAKING (12000-12047 COOKING (12048-12116) EATING (1217-12209) HOLIDAY MEAL (12210-12239) SOAP MAKING (12240-12249) BATH (12250-12274) DISHWATER -DISH RAG -DISH TOWEL (12275-12348) MOPPING AND SCRUBBING (12349-12363) SWEEPING AND BROOM (12364-12499) WASHING CLOTHES (12500-12536) IRONING (12537-12564) BED MAKING (12565-12581) GOING TO BED AND GETTING UP (12582-12644)

    SOCIAL RELATIONS (12645-14394)

    GOING FORTH (12645-13007) Company - At the Door (12645-12694) In and Out Different Doors - Through Window (12695-12712) Up and Down Steps (12713-12724) Stubbing - Stumbling - Tripping (12725-12747) Stepping over Person (12748-12755) Two Pedestrians Separated - Hello and Goodbye (12756-12785) Journey - Finding a Horseshoe (12786-13007)

    RETURNING HOME FOR FORGOTTEN ARTICLE (13008-13101) READING AND WRITING (13102-13151)

    Letters - Chain Letters - Pen - Ink - Pencil (13102-13141) Book - Newspaper - Bible (13142-13151)

    LOSS AND GAIN (13152-13176) Presents - Lost Articles - Theft (13152-13176) Law - Numbers - Money (13177-13270)

    BUYING - PAYING - SELLING (13271-13289) WORK AND BUSINESS (13290-13339) OCCUPATIONS (13340-13413)

    Barber - Miner - Sailor - Circus - Theatre (13340-13413) SPORTS - PASTIMES - GAMES (13414-14118)

    Marbles - Kite - Horseshoes - Dancing (13414-13430) Boxing - Football - Basketball - Baseball (13431-13562) Fisherman - Hunter - Gambler - Craps (13563-13868) Horse Race - Playing Cards - Fortune Telling (13869-14085)

    CHILDREN AT PLAY (14086-14118) RHYMES (14119-14253) RIMED RIDDLES (14254-14394)

    DEATH (14395-15415)

    TOKENS OF DEATH (14395-15079) Moon - Star - Rain - Rainbow (14395-14402) Plants (14403-14452)

    Bean - Beet - Cabbage - Carnation - Carrot (14403-14408) Clover - Corn - Cucumber - Cypress Vine (14409-14414) Flowers - Kale - Onion - Lettuce - Mustard (14415-14424) Sage - Bush - Tree (14425-14452)

    Snail (14453) Insects (14454-14472)

    Bee - Butterfly - Black Bug - Cricket (14454-14460) Blowfly - House Fly - Lightning Bug (14461-14463) Locust (Cicada) - Dragon Fly - Spider (14464-14472) Snake - Bat (14473-14482)

    Birds (14483-14612) Blackbird - Blue Jay - Buzzard (14483-14487) Chimney Swift - Crane - Crow (14488-14491) Dove - Wild Goose - Hawk - Owl (14492-14528) Phoebe - Pigeon - Quail - Redbird - Robin (14529-14563) Sapsucker - Sparrow - Swallow (14564-14574) Whippoorwill - Unspecified (14575-14612) 363

    Poultry: (14613-14738) Chicken - Guinea - Peacock (14613-14647)

    Animals (14648-14738) Mouse - Groundhog - Rabbit - Rat - Squirrel (14648-14654)

  • Cat - Dog - Hog - Cow - Horse (14655-14738) Human Body (14739-14801)

    Ear - Eye - Tears - Nails - Cut (14739-14748) Hair - Combing - Hand - Headache (14749-14761) Laughing - Measuring - Neck - Nosebleed (14762-14766) Sneezing - Simultaneous Speech - Forgetting (14778-14797) Teeth - Urinating - Whistling (14798-14801)

    Clothes (14802-14859) Sewing - Thread - Needle - Scissors (14802-14813) Garment: New - Falling - Black (14814-14819) Dressing - Shoe - Shoestring - Washing Clothes (14820-14847) Hat - Breastpin - Hairpin - Pin - Ring - Umbrella (14848-14859) House (14860-14884) Addition - Moving - Chimney - Brick (14860-14866) Door - Gate - Wall - Window (14867-14884)

    Tools (14885-14893) Ax - Hatchet - Hoe - Ladder - Nail (14885-14893) Rake - Rope - Saw - Shovel - Spade (14894-14899)

    Furniture (14900-15079) Bed - Sweeping - Broom - Candle (14900-14929) Chair - Rocking Chair - Clock - Dish (14930-14966) Glassware - Icebox - Lamp - Auto Light (14967-14975) Electric Light - Mirror - Musical Instrument (14976-14991) Picture - Person’s Shadow - Stove - Ashes (14992-15016) Window Curtain - Shade (15017-15018)

    Food and Drink (15019-15051) Going Forth (15052-15072) Pastimes (15073-15079)

    DEATHS FOR THE YEAR (15080-15088) DIVINATION OF DEATH (15089-15100) DEATHBED (15101-15126) DROWNED BODY (15127-15136) DEATH AFFECTS WEATHER (15137-15151) HOUSEHOLD ARRANGEMENTS AT DEATH (15152-15188)

    False Report of Death (15152) Animals during Death in the House (15153-15167) Clock - Mirror - Picture (15168-15188)

    PREPARATION FOR BURIAL (15189-15211) Coffin Maker - Undertaker - Shrouding (15189-15211) Coffin - Crape - Flowers - Pallbearers (15212-15244) Property of the Dead - Time of Burial (15245-15260) How Long Spirit Lingers - Limber Corpse (15261-15266) Withered Hand - Smiling Corpse (15267-15269) Suffering Corpse - Photograph of Corpse (15270-15272) Grief for Dead - Ill of the Dead (15273-15289) Fear of Dead - Mourning Clothes (15290-15306) On Way to funeral - Late for Funeral (15307-15312) Leaving Anything at - Funeral Service (15313-15319)

    FUNERAL PROCESSION (15320-15344) Animals an - Riding in - Stopping (15320-15344) Meeting - Watching - Counting Cars of (15345-15371)

    RELUCTANT CORPSE (15372-15376) GRAVE AND CEMETERY (15377-15415)

    Orientation of Dead - Water in Grave (15377-15380) Accident at Grave - Leaving Grave (15381-15391) Cemetery Visit - Stepping on or over a Grave (15392-15408) Future Grave - Tombstone - Exhumation (15409-15415)

    SPIRITS (15416-15639)

    TO CALL SPIRITS (15416-15419) THE SPIRIT SPEAKS (15420-15454)

    Through Animals - From Leaves and Trees (15420-15429) Out of the Wind - In Whispers (15430-15432) Using Normal Voice - A Command (15435-15438) Person’s Name - Sending Presentiments (15439-15449) Writing Message - With Song - By Prayer (15450-15454)

    SPIRIT NOISES (15455-15543) Crying - Groaning - Laughing - Cracking (15455-15466) Breaking - Falling - Unloading - Running Stick (15467-15483) Dragging - Hitting - Rapping - Rattling - Shaking (15484-15517)

  • Scratching - Digging - Rolling - Dripping - Ticking (15518-15528) Ringing Bell - Making Music - Walking (15529-15543)

    ATTACKED BY A SPIRIT (15544-15580) Hand of Spirit - Light Put Out (15544-15550) Door or Window Opened or Closed (15551-15558) Chair Rocked - Bedclothes Disarranged (15559-15570) Nose and Toes Pulled - Hair Jerked (15571-15572) Face Stroked - Shoulder Touched (15573-15575) Body shaken - Leg Kicked - Person Grabbed (15576-15580)

    SPIRITS GUARD HIDDEN TREASURE (15581-15606) DEMON RIDER (15607-15611) DEVIL TALES (15612-15616) BLOOD OF THE MURDERED (15617-15624)

    Haunted Instrument of Death (15617) Indelible Stain - Redder During Rain (15618-15622)

    Continues to Drip - Cries Out (15623-15624) LAYING THE GHOST (15625-15639)

    Bible - Blessing - Divine Name - Crossroad (15625-15630) New Lumber - Moving - Mustard Seed (15631-15633) Salt - To Cross Water (15634-15635) Fulfill Last Wish - Bury Unburied Body (15636-15639)

    SECOND SIGHT (15640-15851) SEERS (15640-15644) SUPERNATURAL ANIMALS (15645-15673) MYSTERIOUS LIGHTS (15674-15719)

    Bright Light - Colored Light - Fire Ball (15674-15705) Candle - Lamp - Lantern - Lightning Flash - Star (15706-15719)

    APPARITIONS CONCERNED WITH DEATH (15720-15786) Angel of Death - Strange Undertaker (15720-15724) Weird Priest - Vision of the Cross (15725-15730) Fateful Black - Ghostly White (15731-15745) Phantasmal Winding Sheet - Uncanny Crape (15746-15755) Unearthly Flowers - Spectral Coffin (15756-15772) “Spiritual Wagon” - Phantom Funeral (15773-15780) Unnatural Grave - Eerie Tombstone (15781-15786)

    SPIRIT SEEKING GRAVE BEFORE DEATH (15787-15790) HEADLESS SPECTRE (15791-15793) WRAITH (15792-15851)

    WITCHCRAFT (15852-16537)

    ORIGIN OF POWER (15852-15897) Caul Born - Four-Jointed Finders (15852-15853) Evil Eye - “Two-Headed Nigger” (15854-15856) Witch Power Inherited - Sold to Satan (15857-15862) How to Conjure - “Black Cat Bone” (15863-15873) Diabolic Music Master - Devil Book - Curse (15874-15883) Hair-Ball - Witch-Ball - Witch-Bag (15884-15886) Healer’s or Witch Doctor’s Bag - Salt Bag (15887-15889) Hoodoo Ball - Hoodoo Bottle - Hoodoo Bag (15890-15894) “Hand” - “Talking Hand” (15895-15897)

    DO-IT-YOURSELF WITCHCRAFT (15898-16086) A WITCH'S LIFE (16087-16110) SUPERNATURAL DISTANCE IN WITCHCRAFT (16111) IMMOBILITY OR ARRESTATION A SPELL-CAUSED CONDITION (16112-16119) WITCHES CAN MAKE THEMSELVES INVISIBLE (16120-16123) SHAPE CHANGING BY WITCHES (16124-16160)

    Witch in Shape of Cat - Deer - Dog - Fly (16124-16145) Horse - Pig - Rabbit - Snake - Indefinite Shape (16146-16160)

    ZOOANTHROPY AND POSSESSION (16161-16166) LIVE THINGS IN YOU (16167-16177) BEWITCHED ANIMALS (16178-16185)

    Black Bug - Lice - Potato Bug - Rat - Chicken (16178-16185) Duck - Goose - Guinea - Hog - Cow - Horse (16186-16241)

    WITCH IN THE CHURN (16242-16254a) WITCH WREATH (Bewitched Feathers in Pillow or Bedtick) (16255-16323)

    Feathers in Circular Form (Normal Shape) (16255-16284) Feathers in Various Forms (16285-16310) Feathers with Other Articles (16311-16323)

    PROTECTION AGAINST WITCHES (16324-16536) To Avoid Bewitched

  • Flee From Witch - Don’t Let Witch In (16324-16325) Never Touch Bewitched Article (16326) Beware Gift of Three - Third Answer (16327-16330) Throw Away Bewitched Article (16331) Give Away Bewitched Article (16332-16334) Return to Witch Bewitched Article (16335) Recover from Witch Bewitched Article (16336) Change Position of Bewitched Article (16337) Never Lend to Witch (16338)

    Evil Spell Broken by Animal and Plant (16339-16347) Witch Counteractants: Boiling - Cutting - Sticking (16348-16357) Burning Kills Witch’s Work (16358-16375) Problems Puzzle Witches (16376-16393)

    Broom - Backwards - Circumambulation (16376-16385) Measuring - Upside Down - Inside Out (16386-16389) Knots - Black Coat - Shoes (16390-16393)

    Witch Detergents: Flour- Salt - Pepper - Vinegar (16394-16425) Water a Remedy in Witchcraft (16426-16429) Steel Conquers Witch Spells (16430-16453)

    Awl - File - Fork - Knife - Spoon (16430-16439) Hatchet - Horseshoe - Nail - Scissors (16440-16453)

    Silver Keeps Witches Away (16454-16464) Whipped Witches Never Bother You (16465-16469) Shoot a Witch in Self Defense (16470-16480) Scatologic Methods to Repulse Witches (16481-16499)

    Spitting - Obscenity - Animal Manure (16481-16487) Human Excrement - Urine (16488-16499)

    Professional Witch Hunters (16500-16505) Religion a Guard Against Witchcraft (16506-16536)

    Bible - Cross - Holy Water - Prayer (16506-16521) Sacred Names - Blessed Medals - Priest (16522-16536)

    THE DEATH OF A WITCH (16537)

  • 1

    CLIMATE (1-948) WEATHER SIGNS (1-889) Sun - Moon - Star - Colored Sky - Rainbow (1-122) 1. A hazy sun early in the morning indicates rain; a clear sun, fair weather. 2. They say a red sun has water in its eye. 3. At dawn in summer a red sun means a sultry day. 4. If the sun comes up like a ball of fire and immediately disappears behind clouds, it is a sign of rain before ten o’clock that morning; if such a sun disappears behind clouds later in the morning, it is a sign of rain anytime that day. 5. If a morning sun draws water, rain will fall that night; if an afternoon sun draws water, rain will fall next day. 6. A dull sunset is attended by bad weather. 7. You may depend on a clouded sunset foretelling stormy weather and an unclouded sunset foretelling serene weather. 8. "If the sun goes pale to bed,

    It will rain tomorrow it is said; If the sun should set in gray, The next will be a rainy day. "

    9. After a cloudy sunset there will be three rainy days; after a cloudless sunset, three sunny days. 10. The significance of a glowing sunset is a storm. 11. Throughout the summer a sun that glows at sundown will be succeeded by sultriness next day. 12. Sunshine on Monday; sunshine all week. 13. Interpret a cloudy sunset on Monday as rain before Friday. 14. If the sun on Tuesday sets among clouds, expect rain before Friday night. 15. The sun setting behind clouds on Wednesday is a token of rain before Sunday. 16. A concealed sunset on Thursday denotes rainless weather until Sunday. 17. A cloudy sunset on Friday turns the weather colder. 18. If on Friday the sun sets in a blaze, it will bring rain before Monday morning say some; before Monday night say others. The contrary is also believed: if on Friday the sun sets in clouds, it will bring rain before Monday morning say some; before Monday night say others. 19. A flaming sunset on Friday; a rain before Tuesday night. 20. Each Saturday during the year the sun shines long enough for a virgin (the Virgin?) to dry her shirt. 21. Each Saturday during the year the sun shines long enough for a workingman to dry his shirt. 22. Yearly there are three Saturdays on which the sun will not shine. 23. On Sunday a murky sunset means rain before morning. 24. An unclear sunset on Sunday is a forecast of rain before Wednesday. 25. There is never any sunshine on Good Friday. 26. Although its appearance may be brief, you will always see the sun on Easter. 27. No matter how much rain or how overcast the sky during a rainy season, the sun will appear every fourth day, if only for a minute; that is, the sun never hides for more than three days. 28. Some regard a solar halo as an indication of rain before night, but others contradict this by reciting:

    "Circle or ring around the sun, Rain none."

    29. Morning sun dog, colder weather; afternoon sun dog, warmer weather. 30. In summer a sun dog warns you of cooler weather; in winter, chillier weather or a blizzard. 31. The meaning of a sun dog north of the sun is rain from the northwest; south of the sun, rain from the southwest. 32. If a sun dog is seen on each side of the sun, a severe storm will arrive during the night. 33. A sun dog on each side of the sun in the morning is a portent of milder weather; in the afternoon, harsher weather. 34. Two sun dogs in the east denote cold weather. 35. An eclipse of the sun is followed by five successive days of rain. 36. "When the moon is wet,

    No rain you get; When the moon is dry, A rain is nigh."

    37. Weather prophets prophesy twelve months ahead by observing the first change of the moon in January: if it occurs during the day, a wet year; if during the night, a dry year. 38. A moon changing in the morning is the beginning of unsettled weather; in the afternoon, settled weather. 39. A moon that has changed during the night will commence a wet season; the nearer the change to midnight, the sooner the rain. 40. If the moon changes while the wind is in the east, disagreeable weather will follow. 41. According to some, a moon becoming new on Monday notifies you of fine weather; according to others, this is a notice of rain for forty days. 42. Two full moons within the same month give us rain. 43. Five phases of the moon in any month reverses the weather for thirty days. 44. An uncloudy moonrise reveals clear weather for the next twenty-four hours. 45. If a Friday moonset is bright, rain will come before Tuesday. 46. "If moon red be,

    Of water speaks she." 47. "A pale moon doth rain, A red moon doth blow; A white moon doth neither rain nor blow." 48. A red-tinged girdle about the moon betokens rain in summer and snow in winter. 49. A moon with a blue cast is a sign of rain. 50. A moon veiled by vapor is a foreshadow of different weather within the next twenty-four hours. 51. If the horns of the moon are hidden on the third or fourth day, a rain is imminent. 52. If the first new moon in January lies on its side or back (horns upward), predict a wet year; if on its belly (horns downward), a dry year.

  • 2

    53. If in the spring a crescent moon hangs crossways (stands on one or both horns), a wet spring is signified. 54. If in the spring a crescent moon hangs like a cradle (rests on its back), the summer will be dry. 55. If the points of the moon curve downward, water is running out of the apron (a wet month); if upward, the apron withholds the water (a dry month). However, some reverse these meanings: in the former, the apron has already been emptied (a dry month); in the latter, the apron now full will soon empty itself (a wet month). 56. If the ends of the moon extend downward, water is pouring over the lip of the dipper (a wet month); if upward, the dipper retains the water (a dry month). Nevertheless, one explanation is sometimes substituted for the other. 57. If the tips of the moon tilt downward, much water will flow under the bridges (a wet month); if upward, the water now flowing beneath the bridges will be reduced to a mere trickle (a dry month). But in each case, the opposite interpretation is also held. 58. If an Indian cannot suspend his powder-horn (or shot-horn) from the moon, it presages a wet month; if he can, a dry month. Notwithstanding, these presages are at times interchangeable. 59. If you are unable to hang a dipper on the edge of the moon, a wet month may be predicted; if you are able, a dry month. Yet, one prediction is occasionally exchanged for the other. 60. A moon standing on its horns will within three days begin a wet spell lasting the whole month. 61. If the upturned horns of a moon lying on its back lean toward the northwest, you can look for a chilly month with rain. 62. A moon slung low in the south during February will introduce thirty days of agreeable weather. 63. Watch for cold weather when the moon is in the north, warm weather when the moon is in the south. 64. "Circle or ring around the moon, Rain soon." or "Ring around the moon, Brings a storm soon." 65. A halo about the moon foretells rain next day say some, within three days say others; the time frequently being determined by the size of the halo: the smaller the halo, the sooner the rain. 66. During cold weather a lunar halo discloses warmer weather; during warm weather, colder weather. 67. If there are two moon-rings, it will snow within twenty-four hours. 68. As many rings as the moon has, so many will be the days until rain. 69. The appearance of stars in a moon-ring bodes a change of weather. 70. If stars appear in a moon-ring, each star will represent one day until the weather changes. 71. If a moon-ring has stars, the number of these stars will enumerate the foul days approaching. 72. If the moon does not have a ring and yet several nearby stars are grouped about it in an irregular circle, you may prepare for rain. 73. "When the stars begin to huddle, The earth will soon become a puddle." 74. If stars twinkle brightly, radiant weather is at hand. 75. Stars that sparkle and seem larger than usual in summer are fore-casting rain; in winter, a sharper temperature or frost. 76. A multitude of stars means pretty weather and a scarcity of stars means falling weather. 77. If the Big Dipper is upside down, there will be rain; if right-side up, no rain. 78. One expects a continuation of excellent weather after the Milky Way has glittered with unusual brilliance. 79. The direction in which the Milkmaid's Path (Milky Way) points will be the course of the wind on the fallowing day. The name Milkmaid's Path is not often heard. 80. In whatever direction a star shoots, the wind will blow next day. 81. Meteors (called shooting stars) in greater number than usual signify unpleasant weather. 82. A deep-blue sky is always an indication of beautiful weather for the rest of the day. 83. If on a gloomy day there is a patch of blue sky the size of a handkerchief, the weather will soon clear. 84. If on a gloomy day there is a patch of blue sky large enough to make a pair of britches for a Dutchman, the weather will soon clear. 85. If on a gloomy day there is a patch of blue sky large enough to make a shirt for a sailor, the weather will soon clear. 86. Rain is in the air when a faint greenish hue overspreads the sky. 87. "An evening red and a morning grey, Make a fair fair day. " 88. "Evening red and morning grey, That's the sign we'll have a fair day." 89. "Evening red and morning grey, Two sure signs of one clear day." 90. "Evening grey and morning red, Will pour rain on the pilgrim's head." 91. "An evening grey and a morning red, Send the shepherd wet to bed." 92. "Evening red and morning grey, Will set the traveler on his way; Evening grey and morning red, Will pour the rain down on his head. " 93. "Evening red, morning grey, Speed the traveler on his way; Evening grey, morning red, Bring down rain upon his head." 94. "Evening grey and morning red, Send the traveler back to bed; Evening red and morning grey, Send the traveler on his way." 95. "If at morning the sky be red,

  • 3

    It bids the traveler stay in bed." 96. "Red at night, sailor's delight; Red in the morning, sailor take warning." or "Red in the morning, sailors take warning; Red at night, sailors' delight." 97. "Red at night, shepherd's delight; Red in the morning, shepherd's warning." 98. "Red at night, soldiers' delight; Red in the morning, soldiers are mourning." 99. A leaden sky at daybreak in summer will be replaced by intense heat later that morning. 100. A pinkish sky in the west at night is an omen of rain. 101. A red sky in the morning signifies blustery winds. 102. After you have seen a rosy sky, make preparations for a hailstorm. 103. At sunset a transparent sky with a scattering of small red clouds is a promise of fair weather. 104. If at sunset a ruddy sky reflects from clouds in the east, a change of weather is near. 105. To have a blazing sky reflect against clouds in the south at sunset denotes rain. 106. If a fiery sky at sunset is reflected on clouds in the north, storms and high winds can be expected. 107. From clouds with a golden glow at sunset pleasant weather is presaged. 108. Yellow in the sky at sunset is a portent of rain. 109. In the sky at sunset pale yellow portends high winds. 110. "Rainbow in the morning, Farmer take warning." 111. "Rainbow at night, Fisherman's delight." 112. "Rainbow at night, Sailors' delight; Rainbow in the morning, Sailors take warning." 113. "Rainbow in the morn, Sailors warned." 114. "A rainbow at night, Is a shepherd's delight; A rainbow in the morning, Is a shepherd's warning." 115. "Rainbow at noon, More rain soon." 116. "When you see a rainbow before noon, That is the sign of rain soon." 117. "You may look for rain soon, If there's a rainbow before noon." 118. Despite the foregoing rhymes, many persons think of a rainbow as indicating clear weather for the rest of the day. 119. A rainbow anytime during the day is a boding of rain next day. 120. If a rainbow appears in the east, the weather will be dry according to some, wet according to others. 121. If a rainbow appears in the west, the rain will soon resume. 122. If a person sees a double rainbow (one arched at a distance above the other), it will rain three days during the following week. Clouds - Lightning - Thunder - Storm (123-185) 123. Rain-clouds appearing before moonrise will drift away as soon as the moon rises, but rain-clouds after the moon has risen always remain. 124. "Morning wonders, Evening blunders." 125. "Open and shet, Is a sign of wet." 126. Morning clouds opening before seven and closing soon afterward foretell rain before eleven. 127. Light fleecy clouds produce rain only; heavy rough clouds, rain accompanied by wind. 128. Thin streaked clouds will eventually collect rain. 129. Clouds with streamers pointing upward carry rain. 130. Small white clouds indicate rain within three days. 131. Buttermilk clouds are rain-bearers. 132. "Dominicker sky, Storm close by." (Dominicker = Dominique = barred) 133. "Horses tails and fishes scales, Make sailors spread their sails." 134. Clouds resembling a mare's tail presage rain. 135. "A mackerel sky, Never twenty-four hours dry." 136. "A mackerel sky, Never (leaves the earth) three days dry." 137. White drift-clouds often called "sheep" are a rain warning.

  • 4

    138. A thunderhead --- a white drift-cloud darkened at one end usually known as the head --- is always a rain-carrier; so when you observe clouds of this type cropping up singly from the horizon all day, finally joining each other in a mass that seems to seethe, you may look for wet weather during the night or next day. 139. If clouds bunch together to form a tree --- formerly described as a "cloud-baum" or "cloud-tree" by some of the old-time Germans --- a rain is impending. 140. "I remember one day I wanted to go somewhere real bad and the weather was bad, and grandmother said, 'It will soon stop raining and clear up and you can go, for the clouds are going east, for it never fails.' If you get up in the morning and it is storming, or if a real bad fog, if the clouds go east, it will clear up that day. And I got to go that day." 141. Monday clouds portend cloudy weather two more days that week. 142. Sheet lightning at night foretells hotter weather and therefore is generally referred to as heat lightning. 143. If it lightens in the north during the day, expect an immediate rain; if at night, a downpour within twenty-four hours. 144. Three consecutive nights of lightning in the north will bring rainy weather. 145. During the day, lightning in the northwest betokens rain at once or that night; after sunset, rain before morning. 146. Northeast lightning is considered by some an omen of rain within twenty-four hours; by others an omen of dry weather. 147. Dry weather always accompanies lightning in the east. 148. To see it lighten in the south is an indication of a drought. 149. February lightning forecasts a frost sufficient to kill on the corresponding date in May. 150. Lightning in March means unseasonable weather all year. 151. Lightning in December means a cold spell. 152. "Thunder before seven, Rain before eleven." 153. If you hear thunder before seven in the morning, seven thunderclaps will be heard before night. 154. "Thunder in the morning, Is a sailor's warning." 155. "Thunder before noon, Showers in the afternoon." 156. Northwest thunder means rain within forty-eight hours. 157. Autumn thunder, warmer weather; winter thunder, colder weather. 158. October thunder will be followed by milder weather. 159. If it thunders in November, there will not be any cold weather until after Christmas. 160. Late November or early December thunder does not change the weather. 161. December thunder makes the weather colder. 162. To have thunder in December is a forecast of frost in May. 163. After thunder and lightning on New Year's Day comes a cold snap. 164. The date of Thunder in January will be the number of spring days during May. 165. January thunder indicates an April frost. 166. If there is thunder in January, predict a May frost; hence, as many times as it thunders, so many will be the frosty days. Further, the date in May will correspond to the day in January; the fourteenth of each month being frequently cited as an example of this correspondence. 167. A January thunder; a June frost. 168. A January thunder; a June flood. 169. February thunder denotes a May frost; the date of the former denoting the time of the latter --- consequently, as many thunders as are in February, so many will be the frosts of May. In particular, for corresponding dates, either the sixth or the last day of each month is mentioned. 170. Thunder in February; snow in May. 171. If it thunders in February, it promises a cold spell say some; if it does not thunder in February, it promises a cold spell say others. Occasionally these contradictory opinions refer to late February thunder. 172. On whatever day it thunders in February, on a similar date it will thunder in May. 173. Early March thunder brings cooler weather. 174. March thunder ends wintry weather. 175. Thundery weather in March is a sign of a cool summer. 176. While trees are bare, thunder or lightning, or both, signifies chillier weather; after trees have leafed, milder weather. 177. If while trees are leafless there is thunder or lightning, or both, six more weeks of cold weather may be expected. 178. A spring thunder proclaims a cold spell. 179. Winter is ended by the first thunder of spring. 180. The worst storms follow an east wind. 181. Severe storms in winter are from east to northeast. 182. If the first spring storm is from the north or southwest, all subsequent storms will come from the same direction. 183. If a storm subsides before sunset, next day will be fair; if during the night, next day will be cloudy. 184. Stormy weather on Friday; clear weather on Saturday. 185. A Friday storm will reappear before Monday. Wind - Whirlwind - Rain - Snow (186-293) 186. Wind from the east and warm weather are companions. 187. An eastern wind is followed by rainy weather in summer and by snowy weather in winter; soon say some, within thirty-six hours say others. 188. In early winter or late spring an easterly wind precedes a rain or a snow. 189. Three days of wind from the east terminate in rain. 190. If an east wind veers to the northwest and rain fails to accompany it, there will be no wet weather for a week. 191. A south wind is accompanied by warm weather. 192. It never rains while the wind is southerly and the sky cloudy. 193. Summer rains are regularly produced by south-to-east winds; and as a consequence, we have this local saying: look for rain when you smell the paper-mill ---the latter being located south of Quincy.

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    194. The south wind veering to the northwest portends bad weather. 195. If a wind blows three days in the south, it will afterward blow three days in the north. 196. There is never any rain during a west wind. 197. It will not rain during a west wind and a cloudy sky. 198. Cold weather attends a west wind. 199. Northern winds are always cold. 200. Rain does not fall during a north wind; accordingly a north wind springing up will drive rain away. 201. A northeast wind in winter is the forerunner of a big snowstorm. 202. "Wind in the east, Sailors feast; Wind in the west, Sailors distressed." 203. "When the wind is in the east, 'Tis neither good for man nor beast; When the wind is in the north, The skillful fisher goes not forth; When the wind is in the south, It blows the bait in the fish's mouth; When the wind is in the west, Then 'tis at the very best." 204. "The south wind brings wet weather; The north wind, wind and cold together. The west wind always brings us rain, The east wind blows it back again." 205. The quarter of the wind at five o'clock in the morning on New Year's Day will be its direction three times that year. 206. In whatever direction the wind blows on New Year's morning, it will blow every twenty-four hours (or will not shift for more than twenty-four hours) during the next forty days. 207. The course of the wind on New Year's Day will be retraveled every forty-eight hours, for a few minutes at least, throughout the following forty-eight days. 208. If the wind before sunrise on New Year's Day is from a certain point, during the next two months you will not find it out of that point for more than forty-eight hours. 209. For the next three months the wind will not deviate from its path on New Year's Day. 210. As the direction of the wind is on New Year's Day, so will it be mostly all year. 211. If the wind comes from the south on New Year's Day, it will come from the south every day during January. 212. A southern wind on New Year's Day will return every three days all winter. 213. On New Year's Day a southerly wind begins forty days of clement weather. 214. Wind in the south on New Year's Day means a dry summer; wind in the north, a wet summer. 215. If the wind is blowing from the northwest on New Year's morning, for forty days it will continue from that direction. 216. The direction of the wind on Good Friday will prevail during the next forty days. 217. Either a north or a northwest wind on Good Friday will be succeeded by six weeks of inclement weather. 218. From whatever direction the wind blows on Easter, it will blow for the next six weeks. 219. The direction of the wind on Easter will be its direction during the forty days that follow. 220. Wind in the northeast about six o'clock on Easter morning foretells seven weeks of rain. 221. On March 10 the direction of the wind will remain unchanged for forty days. 222. If in April a northeast wind shifts to the northwest and returns to the northeast, you may look for rain with hail. 223. The direction of the wind on the Ember Days of September (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after the fourteenth) determines the weather for winter: if it blows from the north, expect a closed winter; if from the south, an open winter. 224. On September 21 a south wind indicates a light winter; a north wind, a heavy winter. 225. The quarter of the wind on September 21 governs its prevailing direction for the next six months. 226. If on the first three days in November the wind travels from the south (provided the weather is warm say some), the winter will be mild. 227. The direction of the wind on the first three days of December shows whence the wind will blow during the three following months. 228. A whirlwind as a rule will indicate dry weather, but at times it is thought by some to be an indication of rain. 229. Whirlwinds in the spring mean a droughty summer. 230. If you see a whirlwind traveling downstream, rain is imminent. 231. Years ago steamboat men on the Mississippi River used to say a rain going upstream (south to north) would be back again (north to south) within three days. 232. East rain continues for three days. 233. Dry weather follows a shower that threatens and does not keep its threat. 234. "Rain in the morning, Sailors take warning." 235. "Early morning rain and an old woman's dance are soon over." 236. An early morning rain stops before noon. 237. "Rain before seven, Stop before eleven." 238. A rain starting at three o'clock in the afternoon will last until three o'clock next afternoon. 239. Monday rain never stops until it has rained for three days. 240. On Monday a rain signifies three rainy days before the end of the week. 241. Rain on Monday (morning say some); rain every day that week. 242. "Rain on Monday, Sunshine next Sunday."

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    243. Rain on the first Monday of the month presages three Monday rains for the month. 244. A rainy Friday; a rainy Sunday. 245. If rain falls on Friday, there will be no rain before next Friday. 246. Sunday rain is a sign of rain for seven consecutive Sundays. 247. If it is raining on the first Sunday of the month, it is going to rain every other Sunday that month. 248. If it is raining on the first Sunday of the month, it is going to rain every Sunday that month. 249. If the first day of the month has a rain, the month will have fifteen rainy days. 250. Rain on these three days ---the first two days of the month and the last Friday of the preceding month ---is a portent of a wet month; however, some say this applies only when Friday happens to be the final day of the previous month. 251. A rain on January 1 forecasts seven rainy New Year's Days in succession. 252. Wet weather on New Year's Day is an omen of a rainy January. 253. On one of the first three days of January a rain betokens a wet February. 254. A wet Palm Sunday will be followed by seven weeks of rain. 254a. A wet Palm Sunday means a sunny Easter. 255. If it rains on Good Friday, it will rain the seven following Sundays. 256. If it rains on Good Friday, summer will be hot and dry. 257. If it rains on Good Friday, there will not be much rain the remainder of the year. 258. Rainy weather on Easter will not cease for seven days. 259. An Easter rain means wet weather for the next six Sundays. 260. An Easter rain means rainy weather for the next six Sundays and ten Mondays. 261. Wet weather on Easter remains until Ascension Day forty days later. 261a. If it rains on an Easter falling on April Fool's Day (April 1), it will not rain for seven Sundays. 262. Rain on March 10 (called "forty riders day") means rain for forty days. 262a. After a rain on May 1, you may predict twenty rainy days for the month. 263. If it is raining on June 1, it will rain fifteen days before clearing off. 264. Rain on July 1 brings seventeen rainy days that month. 265. A rainy July 1 denotes rain, or rain off and on, for the next three weeks. 266. If on St. Swithin's Day (July 15) it rains, the forty days thereafter will be wet. 267. Rain on the first day of dog days is succeeded by forty rainy days. 268. Much rain in October; much wind in December. 269. A rainy October; a windy January. 270. A wet and cloudy November 1 is an indication of a wet winter. 271. If late in the fall or early in the spring it rains for several days and then the sun comes out white, there will be snow before the season ends. 272. Look for colder weather to follow a rain that becomes thick and heavy. 273. If raindrops are large (the size of a quarter according to some), it will soon stop raining. 274. Large raindrops betoken dry weather. 275. If during a hard rain the drops are large, three successive days of rain may be expected . 276. That rain does not continue long, during which the drops adhere to any of the following: bushes, clothesline, wires, windows, and screens of doors and windows . 277. A rain making bubbles on the ground shows the weather will soon clear. 278. Rain bubbling on the ground warns you of showers for the next three days. Some say this is true only of a Monday rain. 279. When a rain spatters, it is merely a shower. 280. "A sunshine shower, Never lasts an hour." 281. If the sun shines during a rain, it signifies rain next day. 282. At whatever time it rains while the sun is shining, it will rain at the same time next day. 283. Three rainy days for the week are foretold by a rainbow that appears during a rain. 284. Large snowflakes, short snowstorm; small snowflakes, long snowstorm. 285. If all snow melts on reaching the ground, the storm will be a flurry only. 286. If all snow melts on reaching the ground, except occasional patches in fence corners and other sheltered places, it will soon be snowing again. 287. If after a snowstorm you find snow sticking to the sides of trees, it will snow again within a few hours. 288. Examine trees after it has snowed: snow only in the forks means more snow soon; snow only over the top branches, no more snow. 289. If it is snowing and the sun comes out, expect snow next day. 290. As many days as there are between the first snow and Christmas, so many will be the snows that winter. 291. The date of the month on which we have the first snowfall will be the number of winter snows. 292. Snow on March 1 can be followed by snow anytime during the next thirty days. 293. If it snows in May, look for an early summer and a late winter. Freeze - Frost - Thaw - Mist - Fog - Dew (294-329) 294. A freeze on February 22 is a sign of forty more freezes. 295. If it freezes on March 6, it will freeze on the fortieth day thereafter --- April 15. 296. A freeze on March 10 may be followed by freezing weather anytime during the next forty days. 297. If it freezes in Christ's grave (while Christ was in the grave, Good Friday to Easter), it can freeze anytime during the forty days that follow. 298. "If there is ice in November that will bear a duck, There will be nothing thereafter but sleet and muck." 299. If geese on November 11 walk over ice, they will walk in mud at Christmas. 300. A white frost is a rain omen. 301. Three successive white frosts mean a rain. 302. A frost clinging to trees late in the morning foretells snow.

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    303. Frost during the light of the moon does not nip plants or fruit-tree blossoms; during the dark of the moon it does. These explanations are at times reversed. 304. Plants are not harmed by frost while the wind is from the north, but they are harmed by frost while the wind is from the south. 305. After March 15 a frost never damages plants. 306. If there is no killing frost in September, there will be none until after October 15. 307. If any day of September is cold but without frost, we will have no frost until the same date in October. 308. The ground thawing in December indicates a thaw every month during winter. 309. If it thaws enough for water to run down the ruts in a road during the first three days of January, an open winter may be predicted. 310. A January thaw betokens a wet July. 311. If the ground is frozen on St. Matthias Day (February 24), it will soon thaw; if the ground has thawed by that day, it will freeze again; hence the rhyme: "St Matthias breaks the ice; If no ice, he makes ice." 312. Three misty mornings in succession warn you of rain. 313. Mists in March are followed by frosts in May. 314. A muggy day without the slightest trace of a breeze is a token of a thunderstorm. 315. Early in the morning a clear atmosphere with little or no humidity promises a fine day. 316. If some distant object seems unusually clear, a rain is close; the clearer the object, the closer the rain. 317. If you hear a train whistling at a greater distance than usual, it portends rain. 318. If a train whistle sounds dull, look for rain; if sharp, nice weather. 319. A foggy morning will fade away; a foggy afternoon will stay. This may be an old rhyme. 320. They say, "Whatever goes up must come down." Therefore, if a fog in the morning fades away without rising, the weather will be good; if the fog rises, the weather will be bad. These interpretations are often interchanged. 321. A morning fog lifting early is an omen of rain; lifting late, a clear day. 322. The day on which a fog occurs in January will be the date of a frost in May; thus, as many foggy mornings as there are in January, so many frosty mornings will there be in May. 323. The number of fogs in August determine the number of snows in winter. 324. If fogs in August are light, a light winter may be expected; if they are heavy, a heavy winter. 325. Much autumn fog; much winter snow. 326. No dew in the morning is a forecast of rain say some; say others: "When dew is on the grass, Rain will never come to pass. " 327. A light dew in the morning will be followed by rain; a heavy dew, by splendid weather. 328. Some say the lack of dew for three mornings brings rain, whereas others say rain is brought by three dewy mornings. 329. Heavy dews in March; heavy fogs in August. Bubbles - Water Level - Spring - Well - River (330-336) 330. Bubbles rising from marshy ground or from stagnant water in an old pond are a warning of rain. 331. If in a seep-hole, spring or well, the water-level rises, or if water is found in a dry seep-hole, rain will soon appear. 332. Foam on the water in a river or creek (brook) signifies rain; therefore this is also a sign of high water. 333. Sediment floating near the surface of a river or stream foretells an immediate rise in the water. 334. A rising stage in the river during November denotes a high stage all winter. 335. If the river piles driftwood on its banks in March, the river will unpile it in June. 336. It is an old belief along the Mississippi that, when the river breaks up in the spring, high water will rise to the top of the ice jams. Weather on Special Days and during Various Seasons (337-372) 337. All signs fail in dry weather. 338. Rain never falls while the ground is wet in dry weather. 339. Friday is the "foulest of the fair" --- either the best or the worst day of the week. 340. Whatever the weather is on Friday, that will be the weather until the following Friday. 341. Whatever the weather is on Friday, that will be the weather all next week. 342. The weather on New Year's Day rules the weather of the three following months. 343. As the weather is on the first three days of January, so will it be during the three months of winter. 344. As the weather is on the first three days of January, so will it be the entire year. 345. The weather during the first twelve days of January will control the weather for the whole year. 346. New Year's Day occurring on Sunday presages a dry summer. 347. The cold days of February will be the warm days of March; contrariwise, the warm days of February will be the cold days of March. 348. February always has one week of good weather. 349. If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion; if March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb. 350. "Years ago my father used to say it was an old saying: ‘If March comes in a raring, She'll go out a tearing'." (Not tear from eye, but to tear cloth, etc.) 351. A dry May is followed by a wet June. 352. Hot weather during the first week of August means a white winter, but cool weather on these days means an open winter. 353. Cool August nights reveal hot weather for September. 354. A chilly August, a cold February; a sultry August, a mild February. 355. Raw weather on All Saints' Day (November I) and All Souls' Day (November 2) warns you of the approach of winter, but fair weather on these days will last for six weeks.

  • 8

    356. According to some, a fair November II, which is also cold and dry, forecasts an open winter; according to others, bad weather on this day also forecasts an open winter. 357. As the weather is on November 21, so will it be all winter. 358. The weather of November 25 will be the weather of February. 359. November weather is duplicated during March. 360. The weather on the first three days of December regulates the weather for the three winter months. 361. A white Christmas, a green Easter; a green Christmas, a white Easter. 362. A warm Christmas, a cold Easter; a cold Christmas, a warm Easter. 363. An early Easter, an early spring; a late Easter, a late spring. 364. A cloudy Easter will be followed by seven weeks of cloudy weather. 365. If the weather on Ember Days is fair, three months of good weather will follow; if the weather on these three days is rainy, the following three months will be wet. 366. The weather on the first three days of any season decides the weather for that season. 367. A long autumn; a long winter. 368. A warm autumn; a cold winter. 369. A cold winter, a hot summer; an open winter, a cool and rainy summer. 370. A hot summer, a cold winter; a cool summer, a mild winter. 371. A winter beginning early will be long and cold, beginning late it will soon end. 372. A hard winter; an early spring. Blackberry - Cocklebur - Clover - Corn (373-392) 373. Blackberries that ripen late are an indication of a hard winter. 374. As long as the top bur on a cocklebur bush stays green, so long will there be no frost. 375. After the burs of a cocklebur bush have started forming, you need not worry about frost for six weeks. 376. When the top burs of the cocklebur bush have ripened, winter is at hand. 377. The ripening of the very top bur on a cocklebur bush signifies an exceedingly bad winter. 37? You will always find clover blossoms closed just before a rain. 379. Clover on first coming up will in some years be found with its leaves curled back; this is a token of a backward spring. 380. Twisted-up corn blades denote rain. 381. Corn blades twined about the stalk mean rain. 382. If corn silk is abundant, a cold winter is portended; if scanty, a warm winter. , 383. If corn silk has a light texture, look for a light winter; if a heavy texture, a heavy winter. 384. If corn husks are thin, a moderate winter may be expected; if thick, a harsh winter. , 385. If the corn husk tightly enfolds the ear, winter will be severe; if loosely, winter will be mild. 386. If the corn husk entirely conceals the ear, predict a closed winter; if the tip of the ear protrudes through the corn husk, predict an open winter. 387. If corn husks are pointed, it foretells a hard winter; if blunt, a good winter. 388. If corn husks are long, a long winter is approaching; if short, a short winter. 389. If corn cobs have scattered grains (a few here and there), prepare for an uneven winter (weather changing from one extreme to the other and sometimes doing this overnight) ; if corn cobs are full-grained, prepare for a normal winter. 390. If the kernels on corn cobs are in crooked rows, an irregular winter will follow; if in straight rows, a regular winter. 391. Red corn is followed by a rigorous winter. 392. If while cutting corn in the autumn the ears fall to the ground as soon as you hit the stalk, deep snows will fall during the winter. Dandelion - Flower - Grass - Milkweed (393-400) 393. Dandelion blossoms shut just before a rain. 394. To have dandelions bloom in January is an omen of clement weather for the rest of winter. 395. Flowers just before a rain are always more fragrant. 396. Flowers remaining open all night and having a stronger fragrance than usual forecast rain. 397. The blooming of flowers late in the autumn presages a bitter winter say some; a mild winter say others. 398. If a flower blooms twice during the year, a sharp winter is revealed. 399. Grass that remains green into late autumn is a portent of a warm winter. 400. The autumnal air filled with cotton from milkweed pods indicates no snow on Christmas. Mushroom - Onion - Purslane - Raspberry (401-410) 401. A lot of mushrooms popping up overnight warns you of rain. 402. Mushrooms in November disclose a light winter. 403. Thin onion skins in autumn signify a mild winter; thick onion skins, a cold winter. 404. To discover the dry and wet months of the year: "Take twelve onions all the same size, then cut a hole in the top of each onion, then fill each top with the same amount of salt, then lay each onion in a straight row on a table. You must lay them the way the sun rises and sets. You must do this on Christmas Eve between eleven and twelve. And don't let anyone go near the table after you have put them there. Get up on Christmas morning early and go to the onions and say January, February, March, April and so on. Then look at each onion. Some onions will have water running out of them and some will be dry. The onions that have water running out of them will be wet months; and the dry onions, dry months for the coming year." 405. The wet and dry months of the year may be divined as follows: "Take twelve onions. Name each onion after one of the months. Cut off the tops of the onions and gouge out a cup in each one. Let the onion stand until water gathers in the cups. The onion and the corresponding month which has water in the cup will be a rainy month. Do this on New Year's Day. "

  • 9

    406. "On New Year's Eve take the middle slice [core] out of an onion. Do this to twelve onions. Put salt all over them, naming each month. In the morning it will tell the wet and dry months of the year: if the salt don't melt on them, it will be a dry month; the one that the salt melts on, it will be a wet month." 407. "My father used to try to see what months would be wet or dry. He took six onions on New Year's Eve just at twelve o'clock, cut them in half to make the twelve months, then put salt over them. In the morning he looked to see which were wet months and dry ones. The salt will all melt and make water run out of the onions that are the wet months. If there is no water on the onions, they are the dry months. You must name each [half] onion a month. 408. Halve an onion, sprinkle water on one half, and plant the two halves near each other: if the watered half comes up first, the weather that summer will be rainy. 409. The blooming of pursley (purslane) is an omen of rain. Tree: Bloom - Foliage - Bark - Moss - Gall (411-428) 410. "If raspberries bloom twice in one year and some of the blossoms produce fruit, it is a sign of a very mild winter. But never pick any of these second-crop berries; you will have bad luck." 411. Contrary to the preceding belief; if a fruit tree has two crops the same season, it means a harsh winter. 412. If a fruit tree blooms twice the same year (does not have two crops as in the preceding beliefs), it means a harsh winter. This is also said of flowering shrubbery, especially of the snowball bush. 413. If tree leaves curl up to form cups, rain will soon fill the cups. 414. If tree leaves with silvery or whitish undersides turn upside down or inside out, rain is on its way. The cottonwood, elm, maple, oak and willow are ordinarily named; also the following plants: bean, clover and grape. 415. If tree leaves turn up on Monday, a rain will turn up before Sunday. 416. Stand at the foot of a tree after it has leafed in the spring: if you can see the sky through the leaves, a pleasant summer may be predicted; if you cannot see the sky, a hot and dry summer. 417. Heavy foliage, heavy winter; meagre foliage, meagre winter. 418. Tree leaves turning yellow in August warn you of an early autumn. 419. The curling up tree leaves before they fall in the autumn is a sign of an open winter. 420. An early falling of leaves denotes an early winter. 421. Leaves still hanging on the branches in late October and early November foretell much snow that winter. 422. If trees are not stripped of leaves before November 11, a raw winter is betokened. They say the same thing about grapevines. 423. If in autumn the tops of trees are bare but leaves hang on the sides, prophesy a mild winter; if they have fallen from the sides but remain on the tops, a severe winter. 424. Dead branches dropping from trees in fair weather are a rain warning. 425. A hard winter always follows the appearance of moss on the South side of trees in autumn. 426. If in the autumn you open an oak ball (an oak tree gall) and find a worm, it denotes a warm winter because the worm is naked; but if the oak ball contains a fly instead of the larval worm, it denotes a cold winter because the fly is covered with hair. 427. Sycamore trees with smooth white bark in the autumn indicate an open winter. 428. The looseness or tightness of sycamore bark in the autumn shows what kind of weather we shall have: peeled easily, a loose winter; peeled with difficulty, a tight winter. Nuts: Acorn - Beechnut - Hazelnut - Hickorynut - Walnut (429-433) 429. Dry beechnuts on November 1 portend a disagreeable winter. 430. If walnuts drop early, watch for an early autumn. 431. If walnut or hickory nut hulls are loose, winter will be open; if they are tight, winter will be closed. 432. If walnuts or hickory nuts have thin hulls, a thin winter is presaged; thick hulls, a thick winter. 433. Either Nature or God is thought to provide for the wants of wild animals and birds by an abundance of wild fruits and nuts before a cold winter and a scarcity of them before a warm winter. These foods, given in separate sayings, are mentioned as: acorns, beechnuts, wild blackberries, wild grapes, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, walnuts and weed seed. Weed - Vegetable - Violet - Wheat (434-438) 434. Tall weeds in autumn; deep snows in winter. Specifically, from time to time, they mention the bitterweed; perhaps because of a bitter winter. Here again, as in the previous belief, this is a provision for wild animals and birds --- to keep the snow from covering the seed. 435. When vegetables in the spring begin to wilt, a long dry spell is near. 436. Long-tailed vegetables --- beets, carrots, parsnips, radishes and turnips --- have longer tails before a hard winter. 437. Violets flowering in October betoken a mild winter. 438. If wheat remains the same color as when it was threshed, a light winter is coming; if the grain darkens, a rigorous winter. Insect - Ant - Bee - Butterfly - Caterpillar (439-469) 439. The mating of insects in August is a presage of a delayed autumn. 440. As soon as you observe insects carrying material for nests, you will know that cold weather is not far away. 441. An unusual activity among ants will be succeeded by rain. 442. Ants herding together and running about in circles warn you of rain. 443. Look for rain after you see ants traveling in a straight column. 444. If piss ants approach your door early in the week, rain will arrive before Sunday. 445. The appearance of red ants announces the arrival of spring. This belief is sometimes expressed: there is never any frost after red ants have appeared. 446. Summer arrives while the first ants are throwing up their mounds. 447. If ants raise the sides of their mounds higher, rain is in the air. This belief is sometimes given: open ant mounds foretell rain. 448. If ants increase the size of their mounds at the beginning of July, they are enlarging the tunnels of their nests in expectation of an early and severe winter.

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    449. To kill an ant or to tread on an ant-hill, intentionally or unintentionally, causes a rain. 450. Bees stay in or near the hive before a rain and make journeys only when the weather will continue fair; so, more bees entering than leaving a hive betokens rain; and further, if they crowd into the hive all at once, a bad storm will accompany the rain. 451. The swarming of bees always occurs just before a storm. 452. After bees have buzzed about in March, preparations may be made for a cold spell. 453. The first bumblebee humming about your door will tell you cold weather has gone and warm weather has arrived. 454. If bees drone about as late as September, they are storing up additional honey against a long winter. 455. An early hatching among butterflies in the spring is followed by excellent weather. 456. Autumnal butterflies proclaim immediate cold weather. 457. Yellow butterflies during autumn presage a frost within ten days that will tint the leaves with the same color. 458. November butterflies are an indication of an open winter. 459. Late-autumn caterpillars are an indication of a very mild winter. 460. Some say a large number of caterpillars in autumn signifies a cold winter, but others say this is a sign of a warm winter. 461. If a caterpillar comes to your door in August or September and tries to enter, winter will be cold; if the caterpillar merely crawls about your door and does not try to enter, winter will be mild. 462. If in autumn the front half of a caterpillar is large and the back half small, the first half of winter will be colder than the second half; and conversely, if the front half of a caterpillar is small and the back half large, the second half of winter will be colder than the first half. 463. If the autumnal caterpillar is of one color, an open winter may be forecasted. 464. Dark-colored caterpillars in the autumn mean a harsh winter and light-colored ones a light winter. 465. During the autumn you are warned of a severe winter by black caterpillars and of a mild winter by yellow caterpillars. 466. If the head of the autumnal caterpillar is black, the early part of winter will be cold; if the center of the body is light-colored, the middle of winter will be light; and if the tail is black, the end of winter will be cold. 467. If caterpillars during autumn are dark-brown in the central part of the body and yellow at each end, all of the cold weather will come in the middle of winter. 468. If there is a speck of yellow on the nose of the autumnal caterpillar, the earlier part of winter will be cold; if on the tail, the latter part of winter. 469. If a yellow stripe runs down the back of the autumnal caterpillar, expect cold weather for the middle of winter. Cricket - Fly - Gnat - Hornet - June Bug (470-481) 470. The killing of a cricket brings rain that day say some; the day following say others. 471. Kill a cricket and it will rain within three days. 472. If you hear crickets chirping, it is an omen of rain. 473. If crickets chirp louder than usual, or loudly at night, they are informing you of rain. 474. If crickets chirp in the house, the weather will become colder. 475. A large number of flies about the house denotes rain. 476. Expect rain soon, when flies begin biting --- or bite harder or oftener than usual. 477. When flies start to drop from the ceiling, autumn and cold weather are approaching. 478. "If you see those little yellow flies hopping from one flower to another in the fall --- they call them henschrecken in German, I don't know what they call them in English --- that is the sign of an open winter. " 479. Gnats appear in swarms just before warmer weather with rain. 480. If hornets build their nests low, a mild winter will follow; if high, a hard winter. This is also believed of mud-daubers. 481. The person who kills a June-bug causes a rain. Lightning Bug - Locust (Cicada) - Snail - Spider (482-499) 482. If lightning-bugs (fireflies or glowworms) fly high, there will be dry weather; if low, wet weather. 483. A great many lightning-bugs in June foretells a hot summer. 484. Noisy locusts (cicadas) are a warning of a dry spell. 485. A locust (cicada) singing after sunset is forecasting hot weather for next day. 486. After you have heard locusts (cicadas), it will be six weeks till frost. 487. Snails seen in large numbers are a token of rain. 488. If you kill a spider, it will rain within twenty-four hours. 489. If you kill a spider on Friday, it will rain on Sunday. 490. If you kill a spider on Sunday, it will rain on Monday. 491. Many spiders in the house; much rain soon. 492. Spiders desert their webs before a rain. 493. If you notice outdoor spiders mending their webs, there will not be any rain that day. 494. Spider webs floating in the air mean rain. 495. Some say a great many spider webs on the grass is a prediction of rain; others say dry weather. 496. Large spiders trying to get into the house all summer signify an extremely cold winter. 497. An Indian summer is foretold by spider webs on the trees in autumn. 498. In September more spider webs than usual presages an early winter with cold weather. 499. "The cobwebs are webbing up tight the first week of September this year; you can look for a very cold and long winter. For a mild winter they should web up in the first week of October." Tumblebug - Wasp - Woodtick - Worm (500-509) 500. That year in which tumblebugs are numerous will be a year having a severe winter. 501. If you see a tumblebug pushing his dung-ball, an exceptionally harsh winter can be expected. 502. Wasps attempt to enter the house as cold weather approaches. 503. It is said by some that a summer of many wasps will bring a winter of much snow, but by others this is said to apply only when wasps are numerous in autumn.

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    504. "My husband went blackberrying day before yesterday and found a tick, and he said, 'We need a rain.' If you find a woodtick, stick a pin through it and stick it on the side of a wall or tree and it will rain in twenty-four hours. So he stuck a pin through it and stuck it on a maple tree, and we had a pour-down of rain before twenty-four hours." 505. If a person sees worm holes in the ground or a large number of worms crawling about, rain will fall within twenty-four hours. 506. Those who live along the banks of the Mississippi say worms coming to the surface of the ground in early spring denote high water for the river. 507. One of the things showing the arrival of spring is worm holes in the ground. 508. If worms live near the top of the ground in late autumn or early winter, good weather is indicated for winter; if deep in the ground, bad weather. 509. "I was walking down Tenth Street, Friday morning, and the ground was just full of worms, and I said, 'Oh, look at the worms! ' An old German woman was hanging over the fence and said, 'Lady, that is the sign of a very mild winter, for fishing-worms on the ground during the autumn indicates an open winter."' Crawfish - Eel - Fish - Turtle - Frog - Toad - Snake (510-548) 510. A great number of crawfish quitting the water for land is a rain sign. 511. The catching of an eel warns you of a rise in the river, because eels are caught only before high water. 512. Eels in greater number than usual during the spring betoken high water. 513. If fish swim near the surface of the water --- or gold fish in a bowl wash their faces or suck air --- rain is signified. 514. If fish flop up in the water, you can look for rain; the more the flopping, the larger the storm. 515. A fish-box is either an open crate built of slats narrowly spaced (something like a rectangular chicken coop) or a solid-board box full of augur holes, so that the fish cannot escape; and each, until the lumber becomes water-logged, is weighted down into the water by a heavy stone to keep the fish alive. If on raising a fish-box the fish flounder about and beat against the wood, it means higher water for the river. 516. Fish failing to roll with the first rise of the water in spring indicate a higher stage for the river. Particularly applied to buffalo and carp while spawning, rolling is a lazy undulating motion near the surface of the water. Years ago before game laws, and even after them, this was the time when fishermen waded out into the shallow backwater of the river to spear fish with a gig; an ordinary pitchfork often being used. 517. If you kill a turtle, there will soon be lightning and thunder. 518. Frogs heard in March are an omen of an early spring. 519. As soon as you hear the male frog croaking, you will know that spring is here. 520. After the first frog croaks, you will look through glass (a thin sheet of ice) before spring. 521. After the first croaking of frogs in spring, you will look through glass three times (see three more freezes) before summer. 522. "The man that brings us whipped cream said he never plants anything until the frogs have croaked three different times, because there will be killing frost until they do. He said they have only croaked once this spring and we will have two more killing frosts; says this is a sure sign and always depends on it." 523. Frogs croaking during the day are calling for rain; it will soon come. 524. If frogs croak long and loudly at night, rain is at hand. 525. A tree toad trilling in a tree is a forecast of rain. This animal is also known as a tree frog or rain frog. 526. A tree toad that trills about ten o'clock at night will bring rain. 527. A small frog clinging to the well chain is a rain portent. 528. You can divine the weather by filling a glass half-full of water and placing into it a small frog and a little wooden ladder: if it is going to rain, the frog will stay at the bottom of the glass; if the weather is to be fair, the frog will climb up on the ladder. 529. An exceptional number of toads at one time is followed by rain. 530. You cause a rain by killing a frog or toad. 531. When we were children, whenever we had a dry spell, my father would say, 'Children, go out and find all the toad-frogs you can, kill them and put all their bellies up so it will rain.' We did, and it would rain." 532. If snakes appear before February 1, you are warned of an early spring. 533. Snakes in great numbers during the spring foretell a dry summer. 534. More snakes than usual during the day is an indication of rain. 535. To have a snake cross your path betokens rain. 536. Snake tracks in the dust of a road mean rain within twenty-four hours. 537. The tracks of a snake that has zigzagged back and forth across a road signify rain within several days. 538. If snakes abandon the water, rain soon follows. 539. If snakes along the river abandon the water for high ground, high water is denoted; the higher the ground, the higher the flood stage. 540. Along the river, especially in the sloughs, when one sees snakes on tree limbs over-hanging the water or on partly submerged logs, rain may be expected soon. 541. To see at anytime or anywhere a stretched-out live snake is a storm warning. 542. If you kill a snake and let it lie on the ground, it will rain before morning. 543. If you kill a snake and lay it on its back, it will rain soon; before sundown according to some. 544. If you kill a black snake (in dry weather only say some) and hang it up; it will rain before morning. 544a. "If you kill a snake and hang it up on the fence with his belly up, it will storm like hell in five hours." 544b. "One morning on our way to school in the country years ago we found some black snakes, and we hung them up by their tails in a row on the fence, and it just poured down before we went home from school." 545. If you kill a