The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-04-25
THE ADVERTISER co.

In oiden times 1t was generally believed that trees and herbs were the abiding places of Sylvans nymphs. elves and 4airies It was natural that some of the members of this floral community should not be in good standing, and hence the plants came to be considered good ar evil. According to the character of the spirits dwelling within them. In fact there is special plant demon. who. like | walking delegate. goeth about seeking whom he may devopr. Ttis demon visi.s and blights all gardens that are not pro- tected by. the sign of the cross. The idea is So we'll grounued Tn .Gei many tiia. many peasants ana gardeners erect a < 8Gruss ii the midst of the growing crops. after the harvest il is d common prac- &lce to leave certain portion as triDute so the rse oi com wolf, wno otnerw lss would unghl the crops oI tne ensuing ear.
 A plant especially dear to the heart of the demon I5 just Deglnning to bloom h, 2 low oaInp Novus around the city. It Is ! commoiils known as the mandrake, ph, is also called the uevii s candle or erd- mann. The legends and stories connecte with the plant are among the most all sient slor1es ol plant lore. and they ali join in giving 1t a questionable reputation The large leaves of the mandrake conceal 4 most sinister purpose, and 1t likewise carries about Its person potent love ! charm.
 If high power magination Is employ cd in the examination it will be noticed that the root of the plant resembles the human shape When pulled from the ground it utters hideous shrieks. and to accomplish this dog is usually tied to the plant. which. when uprooted. causes the death of the dog. If the root is kept carefully in d bottle it will bring good luck but if the bottle IS left uncorked and the root makes its escape 1t assumes the guise of black fly, and misfortune will surely follow.
 It is well to dispose of such a treasure when making the last will and testament, as If death overtakes one with the root prey. The mandrake is supposed to grow in the vicinity of gallows or where crimes have been committed, and is under tic protection Of Satan and the cubbolds that dwell beneath the earth. Joan of Are Is said to have possessed one of these charms, to the virtues of which she owed | her successes on the battlefields but she lost it just before her capture by the English So much crcdence was attach ed 10 these roots in Germany that they were gathered i1 large quantities for cX portation to various other countries and always command high prices.
 Among other plants especially faNored by his satanic majesty is the henbane. known as the devils eye It was believed in Germany to possess the power of pro dueing rain. and that anyone who ate X the rot would become insane. The plan tain is known as the devils head and will produce prophetic dreams. At the hour of midnight al midsummer's a pc cuiiar and valuable kind. of coal my be found beneath the root.
 The origin of the plantain is accounted for by d pretty German story that relates how peasant girl after watching for months for the coming of her lover. cX- piyed by the roadside along which he was supposed to pass. Soon after a plan tain sprang up on the spot where she fell. and ever since then these plants have