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In the pastoral valleys, the trouble occurs now and then
that the milk will not churn. Elsewhere, the causes of this
are understood, and cow and milk are treated accordingly.
Not so here. The cow is at once concluded to be bewitched;
and it is apprehended that she will spread the witchery to
the whole dairy. So, instead of any sensible method, the
remedy tried is depositing in the cowhouse some soil from
the nearest churchyard. As it is probable that this fails,
time is lost in other proceedings. Stirring with a stick
from the rowan tree is one of the least troublesome. If the
cows are distempered, it is actually a practice in many of
the dales to light the "need fire." Notice being given
throughout the neighbouring valleys, that the charm may be
sent for if wanted, the need fire is produced by rubbing two
sticks together. A great pile of combustible stuff is
prepared; and the more smoke it can be made to give the
better. When lighted, the neighbours snatch some of the fire
to hurry home with, and light their respective piles. The
cattle, diseased and sound, are then driven through the
fire, as some of the Irish, by a remnant of paganism, charm
their property, and even their children, by passing or
snatching them through the fire, making
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