Devon Notes and Queries. 113 78. Old House at Great Torrington. — On the 24th of April last, on removing the lath and plaster front of an old house in High Street, Great Torrington, opposite to the present Town Hall, it was discovered that the old oak front had been preserved in an almost perfect condition beneath, unknown to any one now living in the town. Apparently there had been a long window which was filled up with lath and plaster, and a comparatively modern one of much smaller dimensions inserted, a portion of the oak panelling having been cut away for the insertion of the top of this window. As the owner of the property was going to at once cover up again the greater part of this old front, I had a photograph taken of it as soon as it was completely exposed, which I think is worthy of a place in Devon Notes and Queries. The woodwork of the upper portion of the panelling being in good preserva- tion, it has not been again covered, and the house now presents its familiar aspect with the exception of the top of the gable, but all the old woodwork still remains under the replaced lath and plaster, perhaps to continue hidden for another generation, when it may be completely restored by some future owner to its original and more worthy and becoming appearance. George M. Dob. 79. Apple Tree Charms. — Dr. Aston, late British Consul V/ at Seoul, writes : — " There is a custom in Japan in places where there are fruit trees, for two men to go to the orchard on the last day of the year. One of the men climbs up a tree while the other stands at the bottom with axe in hand. The latter addressing the tree asks whether it will bear fruit well or not in the coming year; otherwise it will be cut down. Then the man up in the tree replies ** I will bear well." The effect of this little drama is said to be very satisfactory. The Illustrated London News mentioned in its last Christmas number a somewhat like custom in Devon. In this case, however, the means adopted was bribery instead of intimida- tion. On Christmas Day the owner of the orchard and his people place a cake on the fork of an apple tree and pour wine on it, while the women chant in chorus ** Bear barns full, sacks full, bags full." Does this custom still exist, and can further details be given ? Henry Gibbon. I
