It was also the custom to decorate the last sheaf of corn with ribbons
and flowers (It was only a small sheaf) and it was fastened to the wall
inside the barn and left there until the next Harvest.


OCTOBER.

Hail, falling leaves! that patter round,
Admonishers and friends.

Come pensive Autumn, with thy clouds and storms,
And falling leaves and pastimes lost to flowers. _Clare._


MOPS.

These were assemblies of people after Michaelmas in want of servants
(male or female) who were not hired at the Statutes held before
Michaelmas.


ST. MARTIN'S DAY.

The 11th November is generally called Martlemas Day and old people still
watch for the direction of the wind at noon on this day as they believe
it will continue in that quarter for the next three months.

It is also a saying that if the ice will bear a duck before Martlemas it
will not bear a goose all winter.