The plant worship which holds so prominent a place in the
history of the primitive races of mankind, would appear to have
sprung from a perception of the beauty and utility of trees.
Survivals of this still linger on in many parts of Europe.
The peasants in Bohemia will sally forth into their gardens
before sunrise on Good Friday, and falling upon their knees
before a tree will exclaim: “I pray, O green tree, that God may
make thee good.” At night-time they will run to and fro about
their gardens crying: “Bud, O trees, bud, or I will flog you.”
In England the Devonshire farmers and their men will to this
day go out into their orchards after supper on the evening of
Twelfth Day, carrying with them a large milk-pail of cider,
with roasted apples prest into it. All present hold in their
hands an earthenware cup filled with liquor, and taking up their
stand beneath those apple-trees which have borne the most fruit,
address them in these words:
Health to thee, good apple-tree,
Well to bear pocketfuls, hatfuls,
Peckfuls, bushel bagfuls!
simultaneously dashing the contents of their cups over the
trees.--_The Gentleman’s Magazine._
(2383)
=Planting That Multiplied=--See MISSIONARY, A LITTLE.