onion, which is thus:--

"Onion's skin very thin,
Mild-winter's coming in;
Onion's skin thick and tough,
Coming winter cold and rough."

Again, many of our peasantry have long been accustomed to arrange their
farming pursuits from the indications given them by sundry trees and
plants. Thus it is said--

"When the sloe tree is as white as a sheet,
Sow your barley whether it be dry or wet."

With which may be compared another piece of weather-lore:--

"When the oak puts on his gosling grey,
'Tis time to sow barley night or day."

The leafing of the elm has from time immemorial been made to regulate
agricultural operations, and hence the old rule:--

"When the elmen leaf is as big as a mouse's ear,
Then to sow barley never fear.
When the elmen leaf is as big as an ox's eye,
Then say I, 'Hie, boys, hie!'"

A Warwickshire variation is:--

"When elm leaves are big as a shilling,