Page:Journal of American Folklore vol. 12.djvu/581

 Local Meetings and Other Notices. 233

and in the Journal. But your best reward would be the consciousness of having assisted in a good and long neglected work — the preservation of Southern folk-lore.

Third. Whether you are willing to become a member of the Society or subscribe to the Publication Fund or not, by contributing whatever infor- mation you can concerning the folk-lore of this or any other section of the United States, sending your contributions to the local secretary.

As you are aware, the scope of folk-lore study is very broad. The fol- lowing special features are merely suggested to you, without the desire to limit your investigations in our behalf in the least : —

Will you please report all of the information and details that you have or can ascertain relating to the following subjects ?

Negro songs and melodies, as nearly in their original forms as possible. (A committee on folk-music has been appointed by the Council of the So- ciety, and it is hoped to obtain the cooperation of celebrated experts in the work. A subscription has been opened for the collection and publication of this material, which, unfortunately for musical science and lovers of music, is being allowed to perish unexamined. This undertaking is espe- cially a Southern enterprise, and ought to enlist wide collaboration in the South.)

The gathering of a complete and verbally accurate collection of negro tales, including the animal stories of the type usually known as " Uncle Remus " stories.

(The progress of folk-lore research will soon bring about a comparison of these tales with a sufficient body of African material to demonstrate whatever relation exists between the folk-lore of the American negro and that of his original home.)

The hoodoo, or voodoo beliefs and practices of the negroes.

Negro beliefs in conjuring and conjure doctors, charms, etc.

Negro superstitions, legends, fears of supernatural things, especially during the days of slavery.

Any and all plantation beliefs, practices, ceremonies and observances of a peculiar character.

Popular beliefs in witchcraft, and the methods of defeating the witches.

Indian legends and traditions, and the origin of Indian names. (It is not to be forgotten that there are in the South remains of Indian tribes, which afford rich fields for investigation. It is expected that material assistance will be given in this field by the celebrated expert, Professor Putnam.)

The dialect, habits, and folk-lore of the mountain whites of the Cumber- lands and the Alleghanies, including the class sometimes known as the "Clay Eaters."

The superstitions of all classes, including all " signs " — such as that it betokens bad luck to see the new moon for the first time over the left shoulder, and good luck to see it over the right shoulder.

Superstitions and signs relating to planting, harvesting, and crops in general.

�� �