The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-08-01
OLD OR NEW MOON.

This is a subject regarding which
frequent inquiries are received. EVIL
IDENTIFY 1t is as old as the art or science
Of agriculture. Old Scotch and Eng
lish gardeners were inclined to do
their planting at certain phases Of the
NOON. Their crops usually excelled
those of our native gardeners, probably
owing not to the influence Of the
moon but rather to careful prepara-
ton Of the soil and good cultivation.
A reader Of the Rural NeD Yorker
asks the editor to explain the signif-
canoe of planting potatoes in the new
end old moon and this IL the reply:
We cannot explain 1t, because we
have never been able to see that the
moon has any influence upon the
growth Of potatoes. We realize that
some farmers will dispute this. and
claim to have evidence Of what the
moon does to crops We nave heard
them talk. but never could see any
real scientific basis for their argu-
ments. The men who have spent most
time in studying the workings OF ma
ture seem to sSree that the moon
has no particular influence upon plant
growth. We are inclined to take their
word for it. 1t will hardly do to say
they are prejudiced, because II 1t could
be demonstrated that the moon helps
or hurts a potato crop the discussion
OF the fact would be a scientific dis
covery that would make any man
famous. Personally We do not be-
lieve 1t makes n difference whether
the moon is old or new. but we have
no scientific facts to argue the Ques-
ton
To show how long the question has
been under discussion, We quote from
THE Complete Gardner; or Directions
for C~ultivating and Right Ordering
OF Fruit Gardens and Kitchen Gardens.
BY the Famous Monsr. De La Quin-
tinye, Chief Director Of all she Gar
dens OF the French King, Made Eng
fish by John Evelyn. Esq, London.
1693"-222 years ago.
II shall o consider those super
stitious observations Of our modern
gardeners make upon the influence Of
the moor in its vain and full.
II know they will take II Ill. that I
should look upon this as a piece Of
superstition, nay as downright folly,
which they pretend to have been the
constant observation and practice Of
all times. and in all parts OF the world.
They will tell you that. according to the
opinion OF the a%nc!ents. every Friday
the 400 Is in a kind Of vain; and
that above all the rest Good Friday
Is to be made choice OF for sowing all
manner OF seeds; insomuch that SOW
ing upon that day such whose fruit
you would have to be early ripe, they
will persuade you that they will he
ripe exactly at the time you expect.
AS also that those you would not have
TO come so soon to their maturity. will
as exactly answer your expectations.
And all this doubtless out Of a pro-
found respect they bear to the day
whereon they were set. And that
such as are set in any other time OF
the moon do quite fail the gardeners
expectations.
This they will not he convinced
To be gross delusion. as are also sew
eral others which they have received
by "A kind Of tradition from the an
clients; that neither plants or CRAFTS
will be quick in bearing, unless they
he set in the vain OF the moon. And
that so many days as this Is done after
the fun, 80 many years the sooner
will the trees come to their perfection
in bearing.
II profess that I have for above
thirty years, observed with all exact.
ness imaginable, whether the several
phases OF the moon have such differ.
ent influences upon gardening, to the
end might follow an opinion so uni
versalIy received, II it should prove
true; and that after all ! find tina,
all this Is no more than tho old sayings
of some inexperienced and ignoran,
gardeners. who designed thereby &c
cover their W ignorance, and hopet
to he remembered by such jargor
among such as knew nothing at al
or husbandry. hope mer
will grow wiser than to trouble them.
selves any longer about It. shall
par myself the pains Of exposiny "A