Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1885 — Superstition and Agriculture. [ARTICLE]

Superstition and Agriculture.

A correspondent of the Glasgow Herald, who has visited Foula, Scotland, states that the fishermen are very superstitious. She adds: “Farming is an avocation of at least as much consequence to the inhabitants of Foula as fishing, and in the prosecution of it they, are equally careful to act in obedience, to the ancient, unacknowledged, but living faith. The land must be dug agreeably to the apparent course of the sun. The sowing of seed-corn should be begun before noon on Saturday, with the moon on the increase and the tide flowing. Some put an egg into the kishie among the seed-corn. When grinding meal, turn the quern sunward. If it be turned widergates the meal will act as an aperient. When the moon is on the increase is the proper time to kill a pig. A hen should be set on an odd number of eggs and when the tide is flowing. When a man is killing a sheep it is unlucky for any one (especially a woman) to pass between him and the fire. In dressing the sheep carefully remove the gall, spit three times on it, and cover it with ashes, so that the dog will not see it. Do not mention the name of the pudding when it is put in the pot or it will burst. If any one can lay his hand on a ewe lamb that he covets, it will not thrive. If the liver of a lamb crackles when placed upon the fire, it is a sign that its mother and her descendants will be prolific. A cow should be fastened in the byre with her head to the north. A knife should be stuck into the coupling above her head to keep away trows, or fairies. Should she be sick, take white money, a razor, and a pair of shears, and shake them in a sieve above her back. If a wound

made by a trow’s arrow be discovered in her side, put a finger on it until another person can daub the place with tar. Take gunpower and fire it off between two peats near her head. Should this fail in effecting a cure, take a hecat and draw him by the tail across the back of the cow until he fastens his claws in her hide, and if this does not cure her nothing will. When a cow has lost the power of chewing her cud wrap some gunpowder in a piece qf dough and put it into a dog’s mouth and then make the cow swallow it. Three stones taken from a brook and three stones taken from the ground ought to be placed above the head of a cow that has been given as a dowry or tocher, so that she may have no desire to return to her old quarters.”