only called Oak Apple Day from an oak
apple with oak leaves being generally worn on that day until noon. The
leaves or apple at that time were put out of sight. Before noon everyone
was challenged to "show your oak" and if none could be seen a blow or a
pinch could be given, but after that hour the wearer of the oak could be
struck. School boys used to fix leaves on the top of their boots, hidden
by their trousers, and when challenged would lift their foot and kick
the challenger, and so showing their oak and punishing the other boy.

When you hear the cuckoo for the first time you must run or you will be
late for everything during the year.

WHIT SUNDAY.

In South Northamptonshire it is said:--

"Whatsoever one did ask of God upon Whit Sunday Morning, at the instant
when the sun arose and played, God would grant him."

Turn your money in your pocket the first time you hear the cuckoo.

Count the number of times the cuckoo calls when you hear it for the
first time and, as many times as it calls, so many years will it be
before you are married.

If a maid hears a cuckoo on the first of May, and takes off her left
shoe, she will find inside a hair the colour of her future husband's
hair. Girls used to get up early on May morning and go into the country
and wait to hear the cuckoo.

An old adage is:--Don't change your clothes until the cuckoo picks up
dirt.

JUNE.

The oak's slow opening leaf, of deepening hue,
Bespeaks the power of Summer once again. _Clare._

JUNE ROSES.

The two June sayings are very optimistic:

A fine June, puts all things in tune.

A rainy June, sets all things in tune.

ST. PETER'S DAY, 29TH JUNE.

The gates of the Minster Precincts are still closed on this day to
maintain the right of privacy.

The Proclamations of St. Peter's and Bridge Fair by the Town Crier, in
the presence of the Mayor and Corporation, is still continued.

A copy of the proclamation was fortunately obtained for me before the
old Beadle died. He had not a copy but used to repeat it from memory.

SHEEP SHEARING. (JUNE).

It was the custom, when the shearing was finished, for the Shepherds and
Shearers to be entertained at supper by the Farmer. The Farmer's
Daughter used to tie up posies of roses with ribbons and give a posy to
each man, but the Head Shepherd always had the largest and best posy. It
was considered by the girls to be great fun to put a quanti