occupants of the house. This applies only to men.—(Communicated by Mr. C. G. Portman, of Hay.)
To raise bread.—Mr. Portman also informs me that in this district it was the custom to put dough to rise in a warm bed; the bed must be warm from having been slept in.
Gipsy funeral custom.—A gipsy named John Locke died at Eardisley, in February, 1912. According to the usual gipsy custom, his tent, bedding, and other belongings were burnt, and his beloved fiddle was buried with him. My informant had tried to buy the fiddle, but the widow refused to sell it at any price.
Ella M. Leather.
Warwickshire.
Rhymes.—The following rhymes relating to the months, and to the weather or rural matters proper to them, are all known among the people of Ilmington:—
January dire,
Freeze the pot upon the fire.
February fill-dyke,
And if it be white 'tis the better to like.
By Valentine's Day
Every good hen, duck, and goose should lay.
By David and Chad
Every hen, duck, and goose should lay, good or bad.[1]
When bean planting in the old-fashioned manner with the peg, it was usual to drop four beans in each hole:—
One for the pigeon, and one for the crow.
One to go rotten, and one to grow.[2]
Saint Matth-i-as
Springing leaf and grass;
A little bit of hay at night, and none in the morning.
Wet on Good Friday and Easter Day,
Means much good grass, and but little good hay.[3]
Come Easter early or late,
'Twill make the old cow quake.
