Wassailing as of Old
The ancient custom of "wassailing the apple trees,” which dates back 300 years, was observed at Carhampton, near Minekead, Somerset, in England, recently. Two men carried a bucket of cider into the orchard, set it down under the largest apple tree, and hung pieces of toast soaked in cider to the branches for the robins and good spirits
The wassail incantation was then chanted. When it ended the villagers began to shout, and to cheer, while guns were fired through the branches of the tree. This custom is supposed to preserve the apple crop by driving off tree “hoggards” and other bad spirits.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MT19310406.2.15
Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5618, 6 April 1931, Page 2
Word Count
107Wassailing as of Old Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5618, 6 April 1931, Page 2
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