Excerpts from farmers’ almanacs celebrating wit and wisdom

Two longtime American almanacs full of wit, wisdom and weather are celebrating milestones. The Old Farmer’s Almanac from New Hampshire is marking its 225th anniversary and the Farmer’s Almanac in Maine is ringing in its 200th. Here are some excerpts from the early days, with some spellings modernized for today’s readers:

“As to my judgment of the weather, I need say but little; for you will in one year’s time, without any assistance of mine, very easily discover how near I have come to the truth.” -- Robert B. Thomas, in his preface to the first edition of “The (Old) Farmer’s Almanac in 1793.

“To cure a pimpled Face, and sweeten the Blood:

Take jena, one ounce; put it in a small stone pot, and pour a quart or more of boiling water on it; then put as many prunes as you can get in, cover it with paper and set it in the oven with household bread; and take of this every day, one, two, three or more of the prunes and liquor, according as it operates; contin- ue this for at least half a year.” -- The (Old) Farmer’s Almanac, 1793.

“Economics: How to save expense in clothing. Purchase that which is at once decent, and the most durable; and wear your garment despite the frequent changes of fashion till it becomes too defaced to appear decent, then turn it and wear it thenceforth as long as it protects the body. A blue coat is as warm after fashion requires a green one as it ever was.” -- Farmer’s Almanac, 1848.