142 DORSET WEATHER LORE. 



(v.) Mr. Norris is responsible for the following : — 

 " Zoo many vogs en Maarch, zoo many vrausts 

 (or, var. " vloods ") en May." 



(vi.) Also for the statement that when in Spring snow 

 lies for some time on the hill-sides and under hedges 

 the popular belief is that " 'Tes awaitin' vurmooa." 



Easter. 



The following quatrain speaks for itself — 



" Sun Easter Day, 

 Little grass, but good hay. 

 Rain Easter Day, 

 Good deal of grass, but bad hay." 

 May — 



(i.) The changeable weather usually experienced in 

 the month of May is neatly expressed in one of Mr. 

 Norris's contributions : " May's ha'f zumma 'n ha'f 

 wenta." 



(ii.) "A Zunny May 'n a drepping June 



'11 put all things en good tune.'" 



A comforting thought, as Mr. Norris says, for a late 

 Spring. 



Midsummer. 



" A dry Summer never goes begging." 



Or, a West Dorset variant, 



" A dry Summer never begs its bread." 



Meaning thereby that fine dry weather in summer 

 time is good for corn crops, particularly wheat. 



Michaelmas. 



The unseasonable effects of early frosts are shewn 

 by the following lines : — 



" A frost before Michaelmas Day 

 Hard enough to bear a duck ; 

 All the Winter after 

 Nothing but muck." 



