MARCH
March was given its name by the Romans in honor of Mars, the God of War, as at this time of the year the weather was such that it enabled them to begin their campaigns after the worst of the winter was over. The Saxons called this month LENET MONAT, meaning "length month," in reference to the lengthening of the days.
Several weather prophecies refer to March:—
(a) A peck of March dust and a shower in May
Make the corn green and the fields gay.
(b) As many mists in March you see,
So many frosts in May will be.
(c) A peck of March dust is worth a king's ransom.
(d) March damp and warm
Will do farmers much harm.
(e) Eat leeks in March and garlic in May,
And all the year after physicians may play.
(f) March search, April try,
May will prove whether you live or die.
(g) If on St. Mary's Day (March 25th) it's bright and clear
Fertile 'tis said will be the year.
(h) A dry and cold March never begs its bread.
(i) A frosty winter, a dusty March, a rain about Averil, another
about the Lammas time (Aug. 1st), when the corn begins
to fill, is worth a plough of gold.
(j) March flowers make no summer bowers.
(k) March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers.
(l) Whatever March does not want, April brings along.
(m) On Shrove Tuesday night, though thy supper be fat,
Before Easter Day thou mayst fast for all that.