Discover 19th Century Poetry and Art in the Old Farmer's Almanacs
- Julie Cirelli
- Oct 11, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 2, 2024
A Glimpse into Poetry, Art Forms, and Wisdom from the 1800's.
I recently uncovered some surprising information and insight while going through my collection of Old Farmer's Almanacs from the 1800s and early 1900s. Over 100 issues contained wood-engraved illustrations, and writings from renowned American and Victorian-era poets.
The almanac had layers of depth, rich with artistic and poetic touches that were funny, clever, and wise elements. It offered a window into the daily life, traditions, beliefs, and experiences of people from a time long past.
Beyond Farming and Weather Predictions
Zodiac Signs, Poems, and Advice
The Almanac holds more than you might expect besides the typical practical information like weather forecasts, planting charts, moon phases, and tide tables. The publication's standard layout was designed to guide readers through each month of the year.
Would it surprise you that it's also filled with creative content such as illustrations, poetry, anecdotes, riddles, folklore, and practical household tips and advice, all of which elevate it beyond a simple utility guide?
Wood Engravings
18th and 19th Century Zodiac Sign Wood Engravings
Old Farmer's Almanac poetry and art complement each other. From 1804 to 1979, a small, intricate wood engraving depicting one of the twelve zodiac signs was featured at the top of the right side calendar page marking the start of each month.
Just below that, a brief poem or stanza captures a theme related to the month, season, or agricultural life. Only excerpts from the original full-length poems were published.
The threadbare trees, so poor and thin
They are no wealthier than I;
But with as brave a core within
They rear their boughs to the October sky.
American Poets & Victorian-Era Authors
Passages from both distinguished authors and classic poets found their way into the pages of the Old Farmer's Almanac, such as this excerpt from Susan Hartley Swett's poem "July."
When the tangled cobweb pulls
The corn flower's blue cap awry,
And the lilies tall lean over the wall
To bow to the butterfly,
It is July.
Works from prominent literary figures of the 19th and 20th centuries included these well-known names: Henry David Thoreau, Jane Goodwin Austin, D. H. Lawrence, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Robert Frost, George Meredith, Sir William Watson, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Alfred, Lord Tennyson.
For man and maid a laughing word
She tossed in notes as clear
As when the February bird
Sings out that Spring is near.
Household Hints
Practical tips, remedies, and advice for daily living
The Old Farmer's Almanac was a universal guide and a trusted resource for navigating both the natural world and daily life. One page that recurred annually was devoted to "Hints for the Household."
Also entitled "useful tips" this page covered a range of topics offering health remedies, household cleaning tips, advice for kind treatment of others, and suggestions related to gardening, cooking, and everyday routine. The following are examples of the pearls that were published in various issues from 1892 to 1917.
“One of the best remedies for warts is to wet them with saliva several times a day, which causes them to crumble and disappear.”
“Small red ants can be destroyed by dipping a sponge in hot lard and placing it on a shelf where they appear, occasionally dipping it in hot water.”
“Iron pillowcases lengthwise instead of crosswise if you wish to iron wrinkles in instead of out.”
"Vinegar and brown paper” is still a good remedy for a bruise. Keep the paper or, the cloth wet, and both swelling and discoloration will be less."
"If you find yourself wakeful and restless some night try drinking a few swallows of water."
“See if you can make your strawberry huller help extract the pin feathers of poultry”
These ideas and information might seem funny or outrageous to us now, given that today’s society has a vastly different set of knowledge, technology, values, and social practices compared to the 19th century.
Although we may not dip anything into hot lard or choose a book for the family to read on long winter nights, could some of their concepts still stand the test of time?
Is 200-Year-Old Advice Outdated?
Ultimately, aren't we still quite alike in many ways? Across generations, the desire to fulfill basic human needs remains unchanged. Whether in the 1800s, early 1900s, or today, we all long for respect, kindness, laughter, the warmth of a happy home, and the satisfaction of a job well done. And let’s not forget the joy of sweet, juicy peaches in the fall.
"Try to avoid all unnecessary fault finding."
“May the members of each home strive to wear a smiling countenance, speak only kind words, and do as many kind acts as possible.”
“Do not be stingy of kisses. It is better to put them at interest than to hoard them.”
“Keep all sad depressing subjects in the background, and bring forward the cheerful and encouraging
side of things.”
“May the homes of the readers of the Farmer’s Calendar during the year 1900, be surrounded and filled with whatever may be necessary to secure success in every good work”.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac is the oldest continuously published periodical in North America, and no matter what year it was published – we can appreciate the timeless artistic, poetic, and wise contributions and legacies left by our early American ancestors.
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