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Story
September 5, 1905
Fergus County Democrat
Lewistown, Fergus County, Montana
What is this article about?
The ancient custom of wassailing apple trees persists in parts of Somerset and Devon, England. On old Twelfth Eve, participants process to orchards, sing to trees for bountiful harvests, shout choruses, and place cider-soaked toast for robins.
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AN ANCIENT CUSTOM.
Wassailing of Apple Trees Still Observed In Parts of England.
What is the wassailing of apple trees?
This is an old custom, fast dying out, but still observed in parts of Somerset and Devon. At Wooton-Basset, near Minehead, the ceremony takes place on old Twelfth eve. All assemble at the farmhouse, and, after a hearty meal, form a procession to the nearest orchard, the master in front with a light, and men with old guns, blunderbusses and anything that makes a noise, in the rear. Plenty of cider is taken and some pieces of toast.
When the orchard is reached a ring is formed, and the master, in the center, seizes a branch and sings a verse beginning, "Oh, apple tree, I wassail thee, in hopes that thou wilt blow."
Then all shout in chorus:
Hatfuls, capfuls, three bushel bagfuls,
Barn doorfuls, tullet holefuls,
And a little heap under the stairs.
Then follow cheers, drinking of healths, shouts of "Now, Tom Pod, we wassail thee!" and the placing of the pieces of toast, soaked in cider, among the branches for the robins.-London Answers.
Wassailing of Apple Trees Still Observed In Parts of England.
What is the wassailing of apple trees?
This is an old custom, fast dying out, but still observed in parts of Somerset and Devon. At Wooton-Basset, near Minehead, the ceremony takes place on old Twelfth eve. All assemble at the farmhouse, and, after a hearty meal, form a procession to the nearest orchard, the master in front with a light, and men with old guns, blunderbusses and anything that makes a noise, in the rear. Plenty of cider is taken and some pieces of toast.
When the orchard is reached a ring is formed, and the master, in the center, seizes a branch and sings a verse beginning, "Oh, apple tree, I wassail thee, in hopes that thou wilt blow."
Then all shout in chorus:
Hatfuls, capfuls, three bushel bagfuls,
Barn doorfuls, tullet holefuls,
And a little heap under the stairs.
Then follow cheers, drinking of healths, shouts of "Now, Tom Pod, we wassail thee!" and the placing of the pieces of toast, soaked in cider, among the branches for the robins.-London Answers.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Nature
Social Manners
What keywords are associated?
Wassailing
Apple Trees
Custom
Orchard Ceremony
Twelfth Eve
Somerset
Devon
Where did it happen?
Parts Of Somerset And Devon, England; Wooton Basset Near Minehead
Story Details
Location
Parts Of Somerset And Devon, England; Wooton Basset Near Minehead
Event Date
Old Twelfth Eve
Story Details
An old custom observed in parts of Somerset and Devon where people assemble at a farmhouse, process to an orchard with noise-makers and cider, form a ring, sing to the apple trees for a good bloom, shout a chorus about abundant harvest, cheer, drink healths, and place cider-soaked toast in branches for robins.