60 On Wiltshire Weather Proverbs and Weather Fallacies. 



June on the contrary is most approved of, when it is attended 

 with copious rains : — 



" A dry May and a dripping June * 

 Sets all things in tune." 



Or, in another version : — - 



" A dripping June,f 

 Brings all things in tune." 



While to mark that even yet a backward season is extolled, there 

 is a saying : — 



" Cut your thistles before St. John % 

 You will have two instead of one." 



Every one of these Wiltshire proverbs, relating to the six first 

 months of the year, proclaims the acknowledged fact, that a pro- 

 longed winter and a tardy spring bespeak more abundant crops 

 and more assured plenty than the pleasant, however unseasonable, 

 warmth which sometimes gladdens our hearts in winter and early 

 spring. Nor is this belief peculiar to our county or even to England : l 



* It is strange that in some parts of England the exact opposite to this opinion is held, and no less 

 Btoutly defended by popular traditions, as for example :— 



" June if sunny 

 Brings harvests early," 



" Calm weather in June, 

 Sets corn in tune." 



" If on the 8th of June it rain 

 It foretells a wet harvest, men sain." 



"Midsummer rain 

 Spoils hay and grain." 



+ " C 'est le mois de Juin 

 Qui fait le foin," 



% June 24th ; or old style, July 6th. 



1 " Winter's thunder and summer's flood, 

 Never boded England any good*" 



" A late spring 

 Is a great blessing." 



" Primavera tardida 

 Mai falida." 



" If there's spring in winter, and winter in spring, 

 The year wont be good for anything." 



