Chapter 10

Wind in the west, weather at the best.Wind in the east, neither good for man or beast.

Wind in the west, weather at the best.

Wind in the east, neither good for man or beast.

West Wind.

A west wind north aboutNever hangs lang out.

A west wind north about

Never hangs lang out.

(Scotch.)

West, East, South, and North Wind.

The west wind always brings wet weather,The east wind cold and wet together,The south wind surely brings us rain,The north wind blows it back again.

The west wind always brings wet weather,

The east wind cold and wet together,

The south wind surely brings us rain,

The north wind blows it back again.

(English.)

Veering Wind.

A veering wind indicates fair weather, a backing wind foul weather.

Unsteady Winds.

The whispering grove betrays the gathering elemental strife. Unsteadiness of the wind is an indication of changeable weather.

Whirlwinds.

When numerous whirlwinds are observed, the rotation being opposite to that of the sun, look for wind and rain.

Weather.

Every wind has its weather.

White Clouds.

Heavy, white, rolling clouds in front of a storm denote high wind.

Almond Blooms.

Mark well the flowering almonds in the wood;If odorous blooms the bearing branches load,The glebe will answer to the sylvan reign,Great heats will follow and large crops of grain;But if a wood of leaves o’ershades the treeSuch and so barren will the harvest be.

Mark well the flowering almonds in the wood;

If odorous blooms the bearing branches load,

The glebe will answer to the sylvan reign,

Great heats will follow and large crops of grain;

But if a wood of leaves o’ershades the tree

Such and so barren will the harvest be.

(Virgil.)

Autumn.

A pleasant autumn and a mild winter will cause the leaves to fall next September.

A moist autumn, with a mild winter, is followed by a cold and dry spring, retarding vegetation. If the summer be rainy the following winter will be severe.

Cherry Year.

A cherry yearA merry year.

A cherry year

A merry year.

Coat.

Who doffs his coat on winter’s dayWill gladly put it on in May.

Who doffs his coat on winter’s day

Will gladly put it on in May.

(Scotch.)

Cold Spring.

A cold spring kills the roses. (Arabia.)

Equinox.

As the wind and weather is at the time of the equinox, so will be the wind and weather generally during the following three months.

As clear off the line, or equinoctial storm, so will all storms clear for six months.

Fair.

One fair day in the winter does not make the birds merry.

Fall.

A wet fall indicates a cold and early winter.

Famine.

After a famine in the stallComes a famine in the hall.

After a famine in the stall

Comes a famine in the hall.

Frosty Nights.

Frosty nights and hot summer daysSet the cornfields all in a blaze.

Frosty nights and hot summer days

Set the cornfields all in a blaze.

Harvest.

The harvest depends more on the year than on the field. (Denmark.)

Haw Year.

A haw yearA braw year.

A haw year

A braw year.

(Ireland.)

A haw yearA snaw year.

A haw year

A snaw year.

(Scotland.)

Indian Summer.

If we don’t get our Indian summer in October or November we will get it in winter.

Late Spring.

A late spring is a great blessing.

A late spring never deceives.

Long Harvest.

A long harvest, a little corn.

Leap Year.

In leap year the weather always changes on Friday.

Late Spring.

A late spring is bad for cattle, and an early spring for corn.

Nut—Corn.

A good nut year, a good corn year.

Oak Tree—Barley.

When the oak puts on his goslin grey’Tis time to sow barley, night or day.

When the oak puts on his goslin grey

’Tis time to sow barley, night or day.

Old Year.

If the old year goes out like a lion the new year will come in like a lamb.

Pear—Dear.

A pear yearA dear year.

A pear year

A dear year.

Plum.

In the year when plums flourish all else fails. (Devon.)

A plum yearA dumb year.

A plum year

A dumb year.

(Kent.)

Rainy Winter.

After a rainy winter follows a fruitful spring.

Seasons.

Extreme seasons occur from the 6th to the 10th year of each decade (especially in alternate decades).

A severe autumn denotes a windy summer;A windy winter a rainy spring;A rainy spring a severe summer;A severe summer a windy autumn;So that the air in balance isSeldom debtor unto itself.

A severe autumn denotes a windy summer;

A windy winter a rainy spring;

A rainy spring a severe summer;

A severe summer a windy autumn;

So that the air in balance is

Seldom debtor unto itself.

(Lord Bacon.)

Short Harvest.

Short harvests make short earnings. (Yorkshire.)

Sloe Tree.

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

When the sloe tree is as white as a sheet

Sow your barley, whether it be dry or wet.

Snow.

A snow year a rich year.

Sow Beans.

Sow beans in the mud,And they’ll grow like a wood.

Sow beans in the mud,

And they’ll grow like a wood.

Sow.

Sow thin, shear thin.

Spring Rain.

In spring a tub of rain makes a spoonful of mud;In autumn a spoonful of rain makes a tub of mud.

In spring a tub of rain makes a spoonful of mud;

In autumn a spoonful of rain makes a tub of mud.

Spring is both father and mother to us, and he who does not sow will not reap. (Gallicia.)

If the spring is cold and wet, the autumn will be hot and dry.

Fog in January makes a wet spring.

If it storms on February 2d, then the spring is not very far; but when bright and clear, then the spring will be late.

If it snows on February 2d, only as much as to be seen on a black ox, then summer will come soon.

When in February it is mild,Brings the spring the frost by night.

When in February it is mild,

Brings the spring the frost by night.

If it does not rain on St. Michael’s (29th of September) and Gallus (October 16th), the farmer will promise a dry spring.

Christmas in mud, Easter in snow.

If at Christmas ice hangs on the willow, clover may be cut at Easter.

Spring and Autumn Rain.

Spring rain damps; Autumn rain soaks. (Russia.)

Summer.

As much fog as plagues you in March, so many thunder-storms after one hundred days.

As much fog in March, so much rain in summer.

If it rains on June 27th, it will rain seven weeks.

As the weather on July 10th, so it will be for seven weeks.

When the sun enters “Leo” the greatest heat will then arise.

As the dog days commence so they end.

Midsummer rainSpoils wine, stock, and grain.

Midsummer rain

Spoils wine, stock, and grain.

Happy are the fields that receive summer rain.

Summer comes with a bound; winter comes yawning. (Finland.)

Summer in winter and summer’s floodNever boded an Englishman good.

Summer in winter and summer’s flood

Never boded an Englishman good.

The Year.

Do not abuse the year till it has passed. (Spain.)

Thunder.

Thunder in springCold will bring.

Thunder in spring

Cold will bring.

Wet Spring.

A wet spring—a dry harvest.

Winter.

In winter expect not fair weather from one night’s ice.

An early winter is surely winter.

Winter’s back breaks about the middle of February.

He that drops a coat on a winter dayWill gladly put it on in May.

He that drops a coat on a winter day

Will gladly put it on in May.

Winter will not come till the swamps are full. (South.)

When the days get longer, comes the winter.

If cold at St. Peter’s day (February 22d), it will last longer.

The night of St. Peter’s shows what weather we will have for the next forty days.

St. Matthew breaks the ice; if he finds none he’ll make some.

After Matthew’s no fox will run over the ice.

If on St. Michael’s day the winds blow from the north and east, a cold winter may be expected.

Light rain on St. Michael’s day is followed by a mild winter.

After a warm autumn a long winter.

When beech acorns thrive well and oak trees hang full, a hard winter will follow with much snow.

Much fog in autumn, much snow in winter.

If October brings much frost and wind, then are January and February mild.

Clear autumn, windy winter.

As many days from the first snow to the next new moon, so many times will it thaw during winter.

When birds and badgers are fat in October, a cold winter is expected.

If on All Saints’ day the beech acorn is dry we will stick behind the stove in winter, but if it is wet and not light the winter will not be dry, but wet.

If it is at Martin (November 11th) fair, dry, and cold, the cold in winter will not last long.

If the geese at Martin’s day stand on ice, they will walk in mud on Christmas.

If the leaves of the trees and grape-vines do not fall before Martin’s day, a cold winter may be expected.

As November 21st, so the winter.

When in November the water rises, it will show itself the whole winter.

When the winter is not early it will not be late.

December changeable and mild,The whole winter will remain a child.

December changeable and mild,

The whole winter will remain a child.

Lengthened winter and tardy spring are both good for hay and grain, but bad for corn and garden.

Winter thunder and summer’s floodNever boded any good.

Winter thunder and summer’s flood

Never boded any good.

Winter finds what summer lays up.

Winter Thunder.

Poor man’s death, rich man’s hunger.

Winter Fire.

In winter a fire is better than a Muscat rose. (Persia.)

Year.

Wet and dry years come in triads.

A dry year never starves itself.

PROVERBS RELATING TO MONTHS, WEEKS, AND DAYS.

Month.

The month that comes in good will go out bad.

January.

If grass grows in January, it will grow badly the whole year.

In January if the sun appear,March and April pay full dear.

In January if the sun appear,

March and April pay full dear.

(English.)

A January thaw is a sign for a July freshet.

If the grass grows green in January, it will grow the worse for it all the year.

In the Shepherd’s Almanac for 1676, among the observations on the month of January we find the following: “Some say that if on the 12th of January the sun shines it foreshows much wind. Others predict by Saint Paul’s day, saying if the sun shine it betokens a good year; if it rain or snow, indifferent; if misty it predicts great dearth; if it thunder, great winds and death of people that year.”

A favorable January brings us a good year.

Fair on Saint Paul’s conversion day (25th) is favorable to all fruits.

In January much rain and little snow is bad for mountains, valleys, and trees.

Saint Paul fair with sunshine,Brings fertility to rye and wine.

Saint Paul fair with sunshine,

Brings fertility to rye and wine.

Have rivers much water in January, then the autumn will forsake them. But are they small in January, then brings the autumn surely much wine.

Is January wet, remains empty the barrel.

If Saint Vincent’s (22d) has sunshine,One hopes much rye and wine.If Saint Paul’s (25th) is bright and clear,One does hope a good year.

If Saint Vincent’s (22d) has sunshine,

One hopes much rye and wine.

If Saint Paul’s (25th) is bright and clear,

One does hope a good year.

If on Saint Paul’s it rains and snows, the grain will be costly.

Much rain in January, no blessing to the fruit.

Fruit that grows in January will generally be costly or dear.

January warm, the Lord have mercy.

January wet no wine you get.

Fog in January brings a wet spring.

Hoar frost and no snow is hurtful to fields, trees, and grain. If grain grows in January there will be a year of great need.

Dry January, plenty of wine. January 1st.—Morning red, foul weather, and great need. January 2d.—As the weather is this day so will it be in September.

If the grass grows green in January, it will grow the worse for it all the year.

January fill dyke,February black and white.

January fill dyke,

February black and white.

A summerish January indicates a winterish spring.

Always expect a thaw in January.

A January spring is worth nothing.

A wet January, a wet spring.

February.

Double faced February.

Violent north winds in February herald a fertile year.

February 2d bright and clearGives a good flax year.

February 2d bright and clear

Gives a good flax year.

On Romanus (28th) bright and clearIndicates a good year.

On Romanus (28th) bright and clear

Indicates a good year.

If the ground-hog is sunning himself on the 2d he will return for four weeks to his winter quarters again. St. Dorothea (the 6th) gives the most snow. When the cat in February lies in the sun, she will again creep behind the stove in March. When the north wind does not blow in February, it will surely come in March.

If February gives much snowA fine summer it doth foreshow.

If February gives much snow

A fine summer it doth foreshow.

There is always one fine week in February.

Of all the months of the year, curse a fair February.

Heavy north winds in February forebode a fruitful year. (German.)

If on the 2d of February the goose finds it wet, then the sheep will have grass on March 25th.

When drops hang on the fence on the 2d of February, icicles will hang there on the 25th of March.

For every thunder with rain in February there will be a cold spell in May.

February rain is only good to fill ditches. (French.)

The nights of the 20th and 28th are called in Sweden “steel nights,” on account of their cutting severity.

February makes a bridge and March breaks it.

February doth cut and shear,February fill dike.Be it black or be it white;But if it be whiteIt’s the better to like.

February doth cut and shear,

February fill dike.

Be it black or be it white;

But if it be white

It’s the better to like.

March.

Winds in March and rains in April promise great blessings in May. As much dew as shown in March so much fog rises in August.

In beginning or in endMarch its gifts will send.

In beginning or in end

March its gifts will send.

As it rains in March, so it rains in June.

Is’t on Joseph’s day (19th) clear,So follows a fertile year;Is’t on Mary’s (25th) bright and clear,Fertile is said to be the year.

Is’t on Joseph’s day (19th) clear,

So follows a fertile year;

Is’t on Mary’s (25th) bright and clear,

Fertile is said to be the year.

A damp, rotten March gives pain to farmers.

A dry March, wet April, and cool MayFill barn, cellar, and bring much hay.Rain in March, poor harvest.

A dry March, wet April, and cool May

Fill barn, cellar, and bring much hay.

Rain in March, poor harvest.

Dust in March brings grass and foliage.

If it does not freeze on the 10th, a fertile year may be expected.

Snow in March is bad for fruit and grape-vine.

March will search, April will try;May will tell you whether you live or die.

March will search, April will try;

May will tell you whether you live or die.

March wet and windy,Makes the barn full and findy.March damp and warm,Will do the farmer much harm.

March wet and windy,Makes the barn full and findy.

March wet and windy,

Makes the barn full and findy.

March damp and warm,Will do the farmer much harm.

March damp and warm,

Will do the farmer much harm.

March dust and March wind bleaches like a summer’s sun. (Scotch.)

A peck of March dust and showers in May,Make corn green and fields gray.

A peck of March dust and showers in May,

Make corn green and fields gray.

When March is like April, April will be like March.

If March comes in with adder’s head,It goes out with peacock tail.

If March comes in with adder’s head,

It goes out with peacock tail.

A dusty March, a snowy February, a moist April, and a dry May, presage a good year. (French.)

A bushel of March dust is worth a king’s ransom.

A windy March and a rainy April make a beautiful May.

A dry March never brings its bread.

March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion.

So many frosts in March, so many in May.

March wind and May sunMake clothes white and maidens dun.

March wind and May sun

Make clothes white and maidens dun.

A March wisherIs not a good fisher.

A March wisher

Is not a good fisher.

A windy March and a rainy April make a fine May.

March grass never did good.

March in January, January in March, I fear.

April.

Is’t in April fair and mild,The nill may be so much more wild.

Is’t in April fair and mild,

The nill may be so much more wild.

Thunder-storm in April is the end of hoar frost. After a wet April follows a dry June. Whatever March does not want April brings along.

April and May are the keys of the year.

A cold April the barn will fill.

A dry April not the farmer’s will; rain in April is what he wills.

Snow in April is manure; snow in March devours.

April cold and wet fills barn and barrel.

At St. Gorgen (24th) the meadow turns into hay.

April snow breeds grass.

Moist April clear June.

Wet May, dry July. (German.)

When on St. George (24th) rye has grown so high as to hide a crow therein, a good harvest may be expected.

When April makes much noiseWe will have plenty of rye and hay;When April blows its hornThen it stands good with hay, rye, and corn.

When April makes much noise

We will have plenty of rye and hay;

When April blows its horn

Then it stands good with hay, rye, and corn.

A cold and moist April fills the cellar and fattens the cow.

When April blows his horn’Tis good for both hay and corn.

When April blows his horn

’Tis good for both hay and corn.

April showersBring May flowers.

April showers

Bring May flowers.

April borrows three days from March, and they are ill.

May.

A dry May is followed by a wet June. A normal wet and cool May brings a wet June. An abnormal warm May brings a wet June.

Dry May brings nothing.

Many thunder-storms in May,And the farmer sings hey! hey!

Many thunder-storms in May,

And the farmer sings hey! hey!

Rain in the beginning of May is said to be injurious to wine.

Cool and evening dew in MayBrings wine and much hay.

Cool and evening dew in May

Brings wine and much hay.

Hoar frost on the 1st of May indicates a good harvest.

The later the black thorn in bloom after May 1, the better the rye and hay harvest.

If May will be a gardener, he will not fill the granaries.

Look at your corn in May,And you’ll come sorrowing away;Look at it again in June,And you’ll come singing another tune.

Look at your corn in May,

And you’ll come sorrowing away;

Look at it again in June,

And you’ll come singing another tune.

A windy May makes a fair year. (Portuguese proverb.)

Water in May is bread all the year. (Spanish proverb.)

A hot May makes a fat churchyard.

A cold May enriches no one.

A May floodNever did good.

A May flood

Never did good.

A cold and windy May will fill the barn.

A dry May and a leaking JuneMake the farmer whistle a merry tune.

A dry May and a leaking June

Make the farmer whistle a merry tune.

May damp and cool fills the barns and wine-vats.

Mist in May and heat in JuneMakes the harvest right soon.(Scotch.)

Mist in May and heat in June

Makes the harvest right soon.

(Scotch.)

Cast not a cloutTill May be out.

Cast not a clout

Till May be out.

Be it early or be it late,May will bring the corn quake.

Be it early or be it late,

May will bring the corn quake.

A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay;But a swarm in July ain’t worth a fly.

A swarm of bees in May is worth a load of hay;

But a swarm in July ain’t worth a fly.

If it rains on Philip’s and Jacob’s day (1st), a fertile year may be expected to follow.

Cold May brings many things.

A cold May and windMakes full barns and a findy.(Scotch.)

A cold May and wind

Makes full barns and a findy.

(Scotch.)

June.

Rain on St. John’s day (24th), and we may expect a wet harvest.

Previous to St. John’s day we dare not praise barley.

If it rains on St. Peter’s day (29th) the bakers will have to carry double flour and single water; if dry, they will carry single flour and double water.

Peter and Paul will rotten the roots of the rye.

O! St. Vitus (15th), O do not rain, so that we may not want barley.

A cold and wet June spoils mostly the whole year.

June, damp and warm, does not make the farmer poor.

Rain on St. Barnabas day is a good harvest in grapes.

Rain on St. John’s (24th) will damage the nuts.

If north wind blows in June, rye will be splendid at harvest time.

When it is the hottest in June, it will be the coldest in the next February at corresponding days.

If St. Vitus day (15th of June) be rainy weather,It will rain for thirty days together.(Robin’s Almanac, 1697.)

If St. Vitus day (15th of June) be rainy weather,

It will rain for thirty days together.

(Robin’s Almanac, 1697.)

Calm weather in JuneSets corn in tune.

Calm weather in June

Sets corn in tune.

A dripping JuneBrings all things in tune.

A dripping June

Brings all things in tune.

If on the 8th of June it rain,It foretells wet harvests, men hath sain.

If on the 8th of June it rain,

It foretells wet harvests, men hath sain.

July.

If it rains on the 2d (St. Mary’s), then it will rain the next four weeks.

As July, so the next January.

July, God send thee calm and fair,That happy harvests we may see;With quiet time and healthsome air,And man to God may thankful be.

July, God send thee calm and fair,

That happy harvests we may see;

With quiet time and healthsome air,

And man to God may thankful be.

What July and August left undone in cooking, September will have undone in roasting. (German.)

If it rains on July 10th, it will rain for seven weeks.

Dog days bright and clearIndicate a good year;But when accompanied by rain,We hope for better times in vain.

Dog days bright and clear

Indicate a good year;

But when accompanied by rain,

We hope for better times in vain.

Whatever July and August do not boil, September cannot fry.

Clear on St. Jacob’s day (20th) promises plenty fruit.

If three days previous to St. Jacob’s are clear, then the rye will be good.

If the 1st of July be rainy weather,’Twill rain more or less for three weeks together.

If the 1st of July be rainy weather,

’Twill rain more or less for three weeks together.

August.

Thunder-storms after Bartholomew’s day are mostly violent.

When the dew is heavy in August the weather generally remains fair. When in beginning of August thunder-storms are passing, they will generally last to end of month.

As August, so the next February.

As Bartholomew day, so the whole autumn.

If the first week in August is unusually warm,The winter will be white and long.

If the first week in August is unusually warm,

The winter will be white and long.

When the months of July, August, and September are unusually hot, January will be the coldest month.

On St. Mary’s day (15th) sunshineBrings much and good wine.

On St. Mary’s day (15th) sunshine

Brings much and good wine.

When in August the sun shines warm, moon and stars are bright; it is good for grapes, because they then ripen well.

Matthew’s day (24th) bright and clear,Brings good wine in next year.

Matthew’s day (24th) bright and clear,

Brings good wine in next year.

A wet August never brings dearth. (Italian.)

When it rains in August it rains honey and wine.

If the 24th of August be fair or clear,Then hope for a prosperous autumn that year.

If the 24th of August be fair or clear,

Then hope for a prosperous autumn that year.

Dry August, arid, warm,Doth harvest no harm.

Dry August, arid, warm,

Doth harvest no harm.

September.

As September, so the coming March.

September rain is much liked by the farmer.

Is the autumn warm, bright, and clear,We may expect a fertile year.

Is the autumn warm, bright, and clear,

We may expect a fertile year.

When a cold spell occurs in September and passes without a frost, a frost will not occur until the same time in October.

Fair on the first of September, fair the entire month.

As the deer goes into the heat, so he will again step out.

As the weather on the 8th, so it will be for the next four weeks.

A wet September; next summer drouth, no crops and famine. (California.)

If Michael brings many acorns, Christmas will cover the fields with snow.

September rain is good for crops and vines.

Thunder in September indicates a good crop of grain and fruit for next year.

If the storms in September clear off warm, all the storms of the following winter will be warm.

October.

Much rain in October, much wind in December.

If October brings heavy frosts and winds, then will January and February be mild.

When it freezes and snows in October, January will bring mild weather; but if it is thundering and heat-lightning, the winter will resemble April in temper.

Warm October, cold February.

As the weather in October, so will it be in the next March.

If the first snow falls on moist, soft earth, it indicates a small harvest; but if upon hard, frozen soil, a good harvest.

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