Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-02-03
FARM AND HOME.
The Moons Influence.

nanY farmers submit to much 1nCOn-
yenlence In planting their crops, in con-
sequence 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 other crops while
the soil is il good order and the wealth
er favorable, on account of the moon
not being in the right sign. Some
farmers viii not slaughter animals I'M
less 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, po-
tatoes, and all the other garden vege-
tables, clean out fence-rows, eradicate
thistles, etc. but after various expert
ments and trials | never found it any
advantage to pay any attention to the
moon III planting any crop whatever on
on the farm. / 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 quite
anxious to follow their example; but [
never yet saw any benefit the moon had
on any crop [ ever raised. Very often
[ have delayed planting for many days,
waiting on the sign to be right accord
ing to the views of my neighbors; but
when the day arrived to plant it would
oftentimes be raining, and the crops
would get planted when the ground was
not in the best condition, and 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 posi-
BILE; and If 1t was few days ahead, or
too late. I would give the land a little
extra cultivation and an additional
quantity of manure to destroy the i'll
effect the moon would have on the crop
for being planted on the wrong day.
And now, for more than quarter of
century, have not for once found the
remedy to fail in battling the pernicious
influence of the moon on crops. But
much diversity Of opinion exists even
among those who believe in the moons
influence on crops, some cOntending
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 cultivute properly, and if
the ground is in good condition, plant
whenever one is ready, regardless of
signs and phases of the moon on particu-
lar days. and on crops thus put in the
elements will always act favorably.
[ know many very Intelligent farm
ers who think it beneficial to plant their
crops in the right signs, and for whose
opinions I entertain great respect; but
they are all excellent farmers, drain
well, pillow well, and manure well, and
of course in such cases the moon can
not 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 h'ipe
on Friday, nor begin any important
undertaking on that unluoky day; and
[ once knew a moon-struck believer in
signs who would not take a dose of
physic when the sign was in Taurus, or
the bull, because that animal chews and
throws up the cud, and in that case the
purgative would act as all emetic.
Ny infidelity about the moons inhu-
ence on vegetation is founded on prac-
teal tests repeatedly made during a
period Of thirty years; and, notwith-
standing I made the experiments hon
estly and without prejudice, still / dare
say many others will assert, from long
experience also, that they have made
fair trials, and found the moon to have
great influence on the growth Of potatoes
and other crops.