256 An American Fruit-Farm 



were just stepping into the carriage, behind 

 ''Castor'* and " Pollux/' for a drive of some eight 

 miles up the Valley to examine some draining he 

 had heard about. I was doubtful as to going, for 

 the sky looked full of showers. "A red sun has 

 water in his eye," he remarked as he tucked the 

 robe about him. Now the sun was not red, and, 

 I may add, it did not prove a rainy day. 



Of all men I have known, Neville could read the 

 weather best. He never lacked a bit of doggerel 

 verse to fit the day. It was from him I first heard : 



Frost year, 

 Fruit year, 



and, 



January blossoms fill no man's cellar. 



And after we were on the road, this April morning, 

 he began quoting the famous weather lines from 

 Richard III: 



The weary sun hath made a golden set, 

 And by the bright track of his fiery car 

 Gives token of a goodly day to-morrow. 



But Neville added. 



If the sun set in gray 



The next will be a rainy day. 



Once started on a delivery of weather proverbs, 

 he would build up a whole weather bureau, drawers, 

 legs, casters, and all. 



