July 29, Monday — St. Martha. Moon at apogee. Moon on the equator. Anchorman Peter Jennings born, 1938.
July 30, Tuesday — Writer Emily Bronte born, 1818. Propitious time to cut hay or give up smoking.
July 31, Wednesday — St. Ignatius of Loyola. Fireflies signal good weather. Hunt medicinal herbs now.
Aug. 1, Thursday — Lammas Day. Harvest below-ground crops and cut hair to discourage growth, today and tomorrow.
Aug. 2, Friday — Former Chicago White Sox team members acquitted of fraud in "Black Sox" scandal, 1921.
Aug. 3, Saturday — Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain for the New World, 1492.
Aug. 4, Sunday — Lizzie Borden took an ax, 1892. Three foggy mornings bring hard rain.
Ask the Old Farmer's Almanac:Is there any truth to the idea that eating blueberries improves eyesight? — G.K., Atlanta, Ga.
Answer: Studies seem to indicate so, yes. During World War II, British Royal Air Force bomber pilots were tested for eyesight improvement after eating bilberry jam; their night vision was said to be better. The bilberry is a variation of the blueberry, more common in Europe. Both bilberries and blueberries contain a substance called anthocyanin, which is considered to be curative for weak eyes. Medicinally, the berries seem to work by improving micro-circulation, so the capillaries that support the eyes and eyesight are strengthened.
In both Japan and Nova Scotia, similar studies have been conducted, with positive results for reducing eye fatigue, as well. Recently, at the University of Maine a new study is under way, using Maine lowbush blueberries and testing for improved eyesight. In various studies done on the subject, in this and other countries, the results seem to indicate an improvement in myopia (short-sightedness) after subjects are given blueberries, bilberries or extracts of the same Vaccinium species.
Further good news about blueberries is that there is no down side — no ill side effects, no cholesterol or fat, and they taste good! Just a half cupful has more antioxidants than up to five servings of most other fruits and vegetables, including peas and carrots and broccoli. The same half cupful contains about 1,000 mg of vitamin C, plus a good amount of fiber, and only about 40 calories.
Besides the improved circulation serving the eyes, blueberries and bilberries also seem to enhance the circulatory strength of the mucous membranes, connective tissues around the joints, digestion and pulmonary systems. Therefore, it is believed that these berries may also offer improvement for the respiratory system, stomach, arthritis and rheumatism sufferers, and those battling aging, memory loss or cancer. Varicose veins, water retention, hemorrhoids, gout, diarrhea and bruising are several more problems for which blueberries and bilberries may be expected to show curative effects.
Ask The Old Farmer's Almanac:An old family letter from the 1700s mentions aniseeds. What were they used for? — B.G., Deerfield, Mass.
Answer: Aniseed is the seed from the herb anise (Pimpinella anisum). In 1619, the first Assembly of Virginia required each of its members to plant six or more anise seeds, so treasured was that herb.
The seeds might be sugared, as were those of fennel, dill, coriander and caraway, and eaten as "comfits" or added to pickles or other recipes. They were tucked in handkerchiefs and used to sweeten the breath or nibbled as "Meetin' seeds" to help parishioners stay awake during long sermons.
The dried anise plant was crumbled and strewn in bedrooms to aid sleep or, according to Pliny the Elder's first-century Natural History, to impart a "youthful look" and prevent bad dreams. Strewn liberally, anise deodorized rooms and deterred bedbugs. Anise oil was used against lice.
Midwives and family healers would have known of aniseed for its diuretic (urine producing) and carminative (easing digestive gas) purposes. It was also used widely for respiratory ills. English herbalist John Gerard, who published his Herball in 1597, believed aniseed would cure hiccups ("yeoxing or the hicket"), whether eaten dry or in a tea. Children were given aniseed in cough drops or syrups, or they gargled with a sweetened infusion of it, for sore throats.
Ask The Old Farmer's Almanac: If only female mosquitoes bite, then what do the males eat? — M.G., Newmarket, N.H.
Answer: Plant juices and nectars. The female needs blood in order to bring her eggs to maturity, otherwise she might be just as vegetarian as her mate, we assume.
Troubled by mosquitoes? Hold your breath. Some people believe that the mosquito cannot extract its stinger if you're holding your breath, and it will die. A similar theory holds that if you physically tighten the skin around the area where the mosquito has lit, either by clenching your muscles in that area, or by stretching the skin taut with your hands, it will be unable to extract itself. Personally, we'd be more inclined to just swat it.
Lest you think you could actually make a dent in the insect population, however, consider this: there are more various kinds of insects in existence today than the sum total of all other kinds of animals put together. Count everything else, and there's still more bugs!
Send your questions to: Ask the Almanac, The Old Farmer's Almanac, Main St., Dublin, NH 03444. WEB SITE: www.almanac.com © Yankee Publishing