_Bee Superstitions--Blessing Apple-trees--"A Neck! a Neck!"_--The
superstition concerning the bees is common among the smaller farmers in
the rural districts of Devon. I once knew an apprentice boy _sent back_
from the funeral _cortège_ by the nurse, to tell the bees of it, as it
had been forgotten. They usually put some wine and honey for them before
the hives on that day. A man whose ideas have been confused frequently
says his "head has been among the bees" (buzzing).
The custom is still very prevalent in Devonshire of "hollowing to the
apple-trees" on Old Christmas Eve. Toasted bread and sugar is soaked in
new cider made hot for the farmer's family, and the boys take some out
to pour on the oldest tree, and sing--
"Here's to thee,
Old apple-tree,
From every bough
Give apples enough,
Hat fulls, cap fulls
Bushel, bushel boss fulls.
Hurrah, hurrah!"
The village boys go round also for the purpose, and get some halfpence
given them for their "hollering," as they call it. I believe this to be
derived from a Pagan custom of offering to Ceres.
The farmer's men have also a custom, on cutting the last sheaf of wheat
on the farm, of shouting out "A neck! a neck!" as they select a handful
of the finest ears of corn, which they bind up, and plait the straw of
it, often very prettily, which they present to the master, who hangs it
up in the farm kitchen till the following harvest. I do not know whence
this custom arises.