The Portland daily press., 1875-03-29
The Moons Influence,

Many farmers submit to much inconven-
fence in planting their crops, in consequence
of the belief that certain phases of the moon
either in waxing or waning and the signs of
the zodiac have an influence ON the growth of
field crops and garden vegetables, and delay
planting potatoes and otler crops while the
soil is in good order and the weather favor
able, on account OF the moon not being in the
right sign. Some farmers will not slaughter
animals unless in certain signs of the moon,
and others must consult the whole circle OF
the signs of the zodiac from Leo round to
Virgo, before they plant beans, potatoes,
and all the other garden vegetables, clean out
fence-rows, eradicate brlars, thistles, etc.;
but after various careful experiments and
trials l never found it any advantage to pay
attention to the moon in planting any crop
whatever on the farm. l saw so many OF our
best farmers being very particular about
planting potatoes and other crops at the right
sign of the moon that felt anxious to follow
their example; butt never yet saw any benefit
| the moon had on any crop L ever raised.
| Very frequently / delayed planting for many
| days, waiting on the sign to be right according
| to the views of my neighbors: but when the
| time arrived to plant it would ottentimes be
raining and the crops would get planted
when the ground was not in the best condi-
ton, and l had poor crops in consequence.
At length | took my own plan of planting
potatoes and other mOon-loving crops, as
near in the right sign as possible; and II 1t
was few days ahead, or too late, would
give the land little extra cultivation and an
additional quantity OF manure to destroy the
| ill effect the moon would have on the crop for
being planted on the wrong day. And now,
for more than quarter of a century, have
not for once found this remedy to fail in baf-
| fling the pernicious influence of the moon on
| the crops, But much diversity OF opinion
exists even among those who believe in the
moons influence on crops, some contendlng
| that such a sign is best, and others that
another sign is better still for particular crops:
however, the best rule to observe in regard to
RAISING crops is to drain the land thoroughly,
manure heavily, and cultivate properly, and
| if the ground is in good condition, plant
whenever one is ready, regardless of signs
and phases of the moon on particular days,
and on crop thus put in the element will al
ways act favorably.
know many very intelligent farmers who
think il beneficial to plant their crops in the
right signs, and for whose opinions enter
tain great respect, but they are all excellent
farmers, drain well, pillow well, aud manure
well, and of course in suchfcases the moon
cannot fail to have good influence in con-
nection with such farming.
notice that most of the believers in signs
of the zodiac will not buy tripe on Friday,
nor begin any important undertaking on that
unlucky day and I once knew moon-struck
believer in signs who would not take dose
of physc when tie sigh was in Taurus, or
the bull, because that animal chews end
throws up the cud, and in that case thy pur-
gative would act as an emetic.
My infidelity about the moons influence on
vegetation is founded on practical tests re-
peatedly made during period of thirty years,
and Notwithstanding made the experiments
honestly and without drejudice; still L dare
say many others will assert from long exper
fence also that they have made fair trials and
found the moon to have great influence on
the growth of potatoes and other crops
Inter Ocenn