Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1903-03-19
INFLUENCE OF THE MOON
How Fair Luna Is Supposed to
Affect Weather and Crops.

The influence of the moon ON eli.
matte and crop conditions. while de-
MED by science, has wide belief
among the people even of today,
which belief is shared by great
many more people than will admit it.
In fact, it does not require any great
stretch of credulity to believe that
the moon may have some effect ON the
weather, since its control of the
tides is accepted as scientific fact
Scientists tell us, however, that the
influence of fair Luna is not extend
ed in that direction. Be that as it
may, it is probable that fully half
the people have more or less belief in
the influence of the moon ON the
weather.
a less number extend their belief
further and credit the moon with con-
trolling influence in the matter of
growing potatoes, the laying Of
shingles and many other of the ordi-
nary and every day operations. If
you plant potatoes in the light of the
moon, they say, they will have fine,
thrifty tops bat few and small pota-
toes while if they are planted in the
dark of the moon, the energy of
growth will be devoted to the under
ground portion of the plant and the
potatoes will be large and numerous.
In any of the frequent discussions of
this alleged phenomenon, there are
never lacking witnesses who, them
selves disclaiming any belief in the
moons influence, will cite cases tend
ing to prove the veracity of the
theory. Shingles for a roof, so those
believing in the efficiency of Luna
assert, should be laid in the dark Of
the moon, as the edges will then warp
downward, making the roof tight. If
they are laid in the light of the moon,
the edges are presumed to warp up
ward and the roof will leak. The set
ting of posts, the killing of hogs and
other rural operations are often timed
to be done at the proper stage of the
moon S development.
But by far the most popular belief
in the moons influence is in its effect
on the weather. The changes of the
moon are watched with interest and
the changes in the.weather are expect
ed to transpire accordingly. The hori-
zontal or vertical position of the new
moon is supposed to presage the
quality of weather for the coming
lunar month and the moon is there
fore said to be wet or dry
Singular to state, though, there is
here disagreement among the
prophets as to the sort of weather
indicated by certain position Of the
moon If the moon lies fiat on its
baclsT some will tell you that it is a
"dry" moon because il will hold
water like IA bowl. Others say it il
a 'wet ''moon, assuming that 1t IL
full of water to start with and as the
hollow fills up the water is crowded
out aud falls as rain. The vertical
new moon is assumed to be wet OF
dry in accordance with one or the
other of these theories. The Indian
belief seems TO corroborate the idea
that the horizontal moon is the wei
variety, for if Injun can't hang hi
powder horn on the moon" IL is littl,
use to 90 hunting. As the best hunt
ing time is after rain, the moon thai
holds water may therefore be con
sidercd u wet one. Scientists anC
learned men may deny the moons in
hucnce but the belief is deep seated
and it will be many years before il
will cease to have many adherents
In this country, the weather has 4
free and easy go-as-you- please move
mcnt and breaks all the rules Of tn,
moon in brazenly disrespectful man
ner. This is not supposed to have an!
tfect in disproving the theory, how
....r .,s So, III al ,,pg Co n IL, np,nnt -