Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/283  From
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proofread.  Superstitions from Central Georgia. 271  133. If the
blade of a knife is soft, put the blade into a piece of hot
corn-bread, and put bread and knife into water.  134. To find
water before seeking a spot to dig a well, negroes take a switch
of willow or peach, hold it in both hands near the middle, and
walk over the ground where the well is desired ; when they come
to the spot where is the water, the switch twists and turns in
the hands, sometimes rubbing off the bark, the ends turn- ing
down to the ground.  135. To get fleas out of a house, take a
pine pole and skin it. The fleas in hopping about will hop on
the pole and stick to the resin that issues. Sheep about a yard
will also carry them off.  136. When the dogwood-tree blossoms,
fish begin to bite. (Ne- groes always fish with a big cork, and
put the lead close to the hook in order to keep terrapins from
cutting the line.)  137