The Folk-lore of Plants by T. F. Thiselton (Thomas Firminger Thiselton) Dyer
page 116 of 300 (38%)
page 116 of 300 (38%)
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there are several versions:--
"The bee doth love the sweetest flower, So doth the blossom the April shower." In connection with beans, there is a well-known adage which says:-- "Be it weal or be it woe, Beans should blow before May go." Of the numerous other items of plant weather-lore, it is said that "March wind wakes the ether (_i. e_., adder) and blooms the whin;" and many of our peasantry maintain that:-- "A peck of March dust and a shower in May, Makes the corn green and the fields gay." It should also be noted that many plants are considered good barometers. Chickweed, for instance, expands its leaves fully when fine weather is to follow; but "if it should shut up, then the traveller is to put on his greatcoat."[5] The same, too, is said to be the case with the pimpernel, convolvulus, and clover; while if the marigold does not open its petals by seven o'clock in the morning, either rain or thunder may be expected in the course of the day. According to Wilsford, "tezils, or fuller's thistle, being gathered and hanged up in the house, where the air may come freely to it, upon the alteration of cold and windy weather will grow smoother, and against rain will close up its prickles." Once more, according to the "Shepherd's Calendar," "Chaff, leaves, thistle-down, or such light things whisking about and turning round |
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