The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-08
INFLUENCE OF THE MOON.

Believers in the moon as planet having
mysterious but none the less potent in
fuence on many things mundane will ex-
perience qualification over the announce
ment that the volcanic outbreaks of Mont
Pelee coincide with the changes of the
moon. That the statement is Issued
scientific authority will make it the more
pleasing to them. Scientists have long
acknowledged as fact not to be denied
or questioned. that the tides of the sea are
governed by the moon, but they have In
variabIy smiled with scorn when farmers
expressed a belief that vegetation is also
affected by the same power. Nevertheless,
the agriculturist Of the good self-reliant,
old-fashioned type is not to be driven from
his position by sneers. If he cannot meet
his critics on their own theoretical and
scientific ground, he can at least argue TO
his own satisfaction that if the waters
of the ocean rise and fall according to the
varying phases of the moon, it stands 10
reason that so powerful an influence may
we'll be felt by the earth and its products
Moreover, his observation confirms the cor
rectness OF this position. When he has
planted his potatoes in the dark of the moon
and his corn when the moon is in IFS
first quarter, he has a serene confidence
that he has done his part TO put these
crops in harmony with nature, and barring
untoward accident, that they will flourish
accordingly. To support his belief he can
point TO innumerable examples where this
method in planting has been followed by
abundant harvest, and to as many more
where disaster has followed a different
course. 1t may be he will admit mag
unanimously that the scientists are right and
there is nothing in the moon for farm
ers, but, all the same, he prefers to take
no chances and continues to plant accord
ing to the evening luminary as before.
In cutting timber, too, has he not noted
many a time that trees cut when the moon
is new "bleed" sap in a way that is un-
known TO them when laid low or pruned
while the moon is dark? And is it not
matter of common observation that pork
from a pig slaughtered in the dark of the
moon will shrivel unaccountably when
cooked? And the weather, too. 1t is i'm
possible to convince the weatherwise old
farmer, who is as sensitive to meteoro-
logical phenomena any sailor, that the
wetness or dryness of the season is not
governed more or less by the moon. He
feels that he has sufficient testimony in
that line to satisfy any reasonable per-
son. If he argues about the matter he
will wish to be informed why if the moon
can draw the sea, il cannot as we'll infiu-
ence the clouds in the heavens? There Is
the experienced mother of the family, also,
who knows, because she has tested 1t too
many times to be mistaken, that when
she cuts the hair Of her flock of boys In
the new of the moon 1T grows with a rapid
ity unknown to 1t when il has been trimmed
while the moon is dark. Her simple theory
is that the hair grows because the moon
grows. Holding as people do all these be-
liefs, and making practical application of
them In face of the ridcule of those who
assume to know better, ii is but natural,
therefore, that they are pleased to see
the same scientists who have laughed at
their beliefs as superstitions forced to adj
NIT that the hidden forces of the earth
are powerfully affected by the moon If
the moon governs the outbursts of a vol
cano, they may we'll ask why should it
not influence the growing of the potato
or the falling of the rain?