Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-07-11
RULED BY THE MOON
ODD BELIEFS By DUTCH FARMERS
OF NORTH CAROLINA.

They Kill Hogs, Plant and Build Ac-
cOrding to the Tilt of the Moon.
How to Keep n Dog and What One
Must Do to Make a Good Tree Dog.
The Dutch farmers of Rowan county
are among North Cardinals most pros
porous and most interesting people.
They live we'll, save money and irl
prove in every way. Thrift is a vir-
tue with them. They are great believ
ers in signs and old sayings. They do
things by the moon.
Before building a worm fence the
Dutch always watch the moon, says
the Charlotte IN. c. Observer. 1t must
be right or the fence will sink into
the ground. The bottom rail must be
put down when the little moon is turn
ed up, so that it will not sink into the
ground. To prove that this is the right
sort of doctrine let person make an
experiment with two bricks. Put
down one while the little moon is up
and the other while it is down, and it
|
! the moon was down will 60 into the
ground and that the other will remain
as left.
If one would cover his house we'll be
must make the boards when the little
moon is turned down. That is easy.
The boards will keep their shape If
rived then. But, on the other hand,
If made while the little moon is turn
ed up the boards will cup up at the
ends when exposed to the weather. l
have seen many a board turn up at
the end, but never knew what did it
| till now.
The moon must be right when a
Dutchman kills his hogs. If the hogs
are killed when the little moon is on
the decrease the meat will shrink, but
If killed when the little moon is on
the increase it will swell.
To have good turnips one must plant
on Israel's day-that is, in August. II
corn is planted when the little moon
points up the ears will grow too near
the top. The ear gets more nourish-
ment near the ground.
It is day of rest and pleasure. II the
first visitor to a home that day is
man all the eggs that are setting will
hatch ROSTERS; if a woman, pullets
; will prevail. Therefore a man is an un-
, welcome guest early in the morning on
; Ascension day.
1t is not right to carry out the ashes
between Christmas and New Years
; day. That brings bad luck
If farmer puts out manure or fer
: tilizer when the little moon points up
it will stay, but if the little moon
points down it will leach out.
There are a thousand and one Of
> these signs and sayings If they could
be collected. Many Of them are met in
j.. other than Dutch communities.
!. Lived there a country boy in Meek
. lenburg who did not know how to
!. treat his old hound for various short
comings? If when you get new dog
he will not stay with you cut the hair
tip off his tail and bury it under the
: front steps, and then he will abide
l. with you forever. Nobody can take
him from you. If you would have the
dog love you better than he could any.
!. body else wear a bit of meat in the
l. heel of your shoe a day and then give
: it to the dog to eat. 1t is strange doc
: trine but true, for I have tried it
! Some folks find it better to measure q
dog with a stick and bury it under thu
steps than to nick the tail. Either way
will do.
1t so happens now and then that
fine dog refuses to bark at the tree
That sort of hunting is unsatisfactory
| for most of the hunters time is wastet
in hunting for the silent dog. That de
feet, however, is easily got rid of. Th'
hunter goes to the woods and LISTEN
| for the squeaking noise that is mad
by the rubbing together of two trees
gathers the bark from the point o
| friction, makes soup OF it and give
it to the dog. II anything will hell
him after he is grown that will. Blu
If the puppy is taken in time there vii
be no silent dog at the tree. As 500
= as the puppy is large enough to stan'
= the blow the hunter should burst
green gourd over his head. That vii
D make tree dogs barking dogs. But
, cannot refrain from giving word o
= warning here. hit one of my puppie
too hard once and broke his head II
2 stead Of the gourd. r.
"a In certain sections Of the south thei
= ID a saying that II you will rub teett
ing baby's gums with warm rabbi