By the Rev. A. C. Smith. 



53 



And there is another saying" to the same effect : — 



" If in February there be no rain, 

 'Tis neither good for hay nor grain." 



In March we have, in addition to the saying of world-wide renown 

 that " a peck of dust is worth a king's ransom," the less-known 

 proverb : — 



"A dry March never begs its bread." 



Of the following month : — ■ 



" An April flood 



Carries away the frog and his brood." 



And for the excellence of drought, there is a saying reported by 

 Aubrey as common all over the West of England "that a dry yeare 

 never does cause a dearth ; " 1 a maxim which, I believe, would be 

 endorsed by most practical and experienced farmers : though another 

 saying that " abundance depends upon having plenty of sour milk/' 

 (meaning, caused by thunderstorms) would not, I apprehend, be so 

 readily allowed. 



Amongst other traditional sayings about these first months in the 

 year, which I have heard commonly quoted, is one which I have now 

 for many years verified, and scarcely ever known incorrect ; and that 

 is that "there is always one fine week in February," a Wiltshire 

 saying which I commend to the attention of all observers. 2 



1 There is a proverb to this effect : — 



" Whoso hath but a mouth 

 Will ne'er in England suffer drought." 



And another : — 



M Drought never bred dearth in England." 



Though that might be interpreted in an ironical sense, as when an English 

 summer has been described by a foreigner in a sneering tone, as consisting of 

 " two hot days and a thunderstorm ! " 

 In France however the same sentiment occurs : 



" Annee de secheresse 

 A toujours fait richesse." 



2 Though the fact however appears to be correct, fine weather in February 

 was not wont to be looked upon with favour, as the kindred proverbs in England 

 and Germany testify : — 



" When gnats dance in February, the husbandman becomes a beggar." 



" Wenn in Februar tanzen die Miicken auf dem Mist, 

 So verschliess dein Futter in die Kist." 



