Farming Superstitions

Until a few years ago, some superstitions still lurked even in this cultivated country. The Scottish farmers carefully preserved their cattle against witchcraft, by placing boughs of the mountain ash and honeysuckle in their cow-houses on the 2nd of May.

They hoped to preserve the milk of their cows, and from their wives from miscarriage, by tying red threads about them; they bled the supposed witch to preserve themselves from her charms ; they visited the well of Spey for many distempers, and the well of Drachaldy, offering small pieces of money and bits of rags.

The young people determined the figure and size of their husbands by drawing cabbages blindfold on All-Hallow’s eve; and, like the English, threw nuts in to the fire ; and in February drew valentines, and from them collected their future fortune in the nuptial state.

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