The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-10-21
THE FLOWING SEASON
Ancient SuperstItlons Of the TILL
ers Of the Soil.
SACRIFICES TO THE GODS.

the Romans Of Old = Ceremonies
That Are Observed In India and
china--Rites Of the Slamess Farmers.
The formal Inauguration OF the plow-
ing season is very ancient and still is
observed in some parts CT the world.
Among the Romans by the institution
OF various religious festivals connect
ed with agriculture the seasons came
to be regarded with a sort of sacred
reverence. Before the old Roman put
the pillow into the ground he went to
the temple OF the goddess OF earth.
Tellus, one OF whose priests performed
certain propitiatory rites. Virgil in his
Georges" advises the Roman hus-
bandman TO observe the signs on heav-
en- according to the crop he desires to
produce. The time TO pillow for fax.
barley and the sacred poppy was when
balance has equalized the hours of
day and sleep and halves the world
exactly between light and shade. When
Taurus ushers In the year with his
gilded horns and Sirius sits facing the
threatening bull is time for beans. For
wheat and spelt the Pleiades should
hide themselves from your eyes with
the dawn. Many have begun before
Maria sets, but the desired crop has
bafiied them with empty ears" But
first OF all the poet admonishes the
farmer to ''honor the gods and offer
sacrifices to Ceres"
In India there are certain days when
II Is unlawful to pillow. Mother Earth
is supposed to sleep six days in every
month, and on such days she refuses
to be disturbed In her slumber.
In northwest India the cultivator
employs pundit to select an auspi-
cIous time for the commencement OF
blowing. Great secrecy is observed. In
some places the time selected is In the
night: In others daybreak is the Gus
tomary time.
The pundlt goes TO a field, tnking
brass drinking vessel and branch OF
the sacred mango tree. which is efica-
cious in frightening away evil spirits
that may haunt the field. Prithivi. the
broad werld, and Sesha Maya, the
great snakes which support the world.
are supposed 10 be propltlated and
reconciled by this ceremony. The pun
dit satisfies himself as to the direction
in which the great snake Is lying, for
1t occasionally moves about little to
ease itself Of the great burden of the
broad world which It carries. The
pundlt then marks Off an imaginary |
line. Five IA lucky numberl clods OF |
earth are thrown up. and water is
sprinkled in the trench FIVE times with |
the sacred mango bush to insure pro-
ductiveness. Caution must be exercised
lest the charm be broken and prospec-
tive fortune lmperiled. The farmer
must remain secluded during the fol-
lowing day; no salt must be eaten, no
money. grain or FIRE given away.
Among the Karnas before blowing
the farmer makes burnt offering of
butter and molasses In his own field
and again at the village shrine.
The Chinese begin blowing on the
first day Of their solar year. Anciently
the rites which were celebrated by the
Chinese at blowing time were elabo-
rate, but ratlonalistie sovereigns elm
mated one expensive religious rite aft
er another until nothing was left ex-
cept the imperial act OF homage to
heaven and earth and agriculture in
the ceremonial blowing.
The Siamese observe rite called
Raakua about the middle of May,
which is preliminary to the blowing
season, and it is not proper for any
one to pillow until the ceremony Is
over. The court astrologers determine
the time for It On the day fixed by
them the minister of agriculture, who
ls always a prince or nobIeman Of
high rank. goes with a procession TO
piece of ground some distance from
The capital Where the festivities are
to take place new pillow, to which a
pair Of buffaloes are yoked. Is in readi.
ness, decorated with flowers and leaves.
The minister guides the pillow over
he field. closely watched by the spec
.ators. who are especially interested
N the length and folds of the silk of
lis lower garments, because the pros
lerity OF the season and its character
sites. wet or dry, are to be predicted
rom these as ne follows the plov. If
he robe rises from his knee there will !
Do disastrous rains. II 1t falls below
lis ankles there will be drought II !
he folds reach midway between knee
ind ankle the season win be prosper
,us.
After proper number Of burrows
lave been turned old women strew
rain OF different kinds in them and
,ulls are released from the yoke and
!llowed to feast upon the seeds. The
rain which the animals eat most free
y will be scarce next harvest. and that
which they refuse to take will be abun-
Iant.
In Yorkshire it was considered I'M
wise to disturb the earth with pillow or {
pade on Good Friday Exchange. :
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