ASH 2ii 



thought to be the Yggdrasil, or Tree of Life, and man, according to the 

 Edda, was derived from it (and the Elm). Hesiod says Jove made 

 the third race of men from Ash. ./Eschylus speaks of the fruit of the 

 Ash as the race of men. It was a lightning plant. 



" Avoid the Ash, 

 It counts the flash." 



Ash rods were used for the cure of diseased sheep, &c. If a cow 

 appears to have been overlooked an Ash twig is twisted round its horns. 

 It was potent against sorcery, the evil eye being so cured in Scotland, 

 and to escape contact with a serpent it would creep into the fire. 



" But that which gave more wonder than the rest, 

 Within an Ash a serpent built her nest, 

 And laid her eggs, when once to come beneath 

 The very shadow of an Ash was death." 



Gerard, even in his day, relates the fable as to the antipathy of 

 serpents for the Ash. The sap was considered a remedy for serpent 

 bites in Germany. Charms were connected with the leaves. 



" If you find an even ash or a four-leafed clover, 

 Rest assured you '11 see your true love ere the day is over." 



To strew Ash branches in a field on Ash Wednesday was equal to 

 three days' rain and three days' sun. They were burned to expel 

 serpents. There is a proverb in the Midlands: " If there are no kegs 

 or seeds in the Ash trees there will be no king within the twelve 

 months ". 



" Burn ashwood green, 

 'T is a fire for a queen ; 

 Burn ashwood dear, 

 'T will make a man swear." 



In Yorkshire they say: "May your footfall be by the root of an 

 ash". Faggots of Ash were used in the Christmas fire. If the first 

 parings of a child be buried under the roots of an Ash it will be a " top 

 singer". In Leicestershire it was used as a cure for warts. 



The wood is tough and elastic, and is used where a light-weight 

 but powerful wood is required, for spears and handles, implements, 

 wheels, &c. 



The Ash is planted in copses, and the saplings are used for making 

 packing-cases, hop-poles, walking-sticks, fences, hoops, baskets. The 

 lower part is used for veneering. The leaves have been eaten as 



