A more modern Folklore tale. Within the the last 30 years or so the advice was given to burn an item of ladies underwear on a bonfire in the corner of the garden and to sprinkle the ashes on a seedbed. This would ensure that the seeds germinated and the plants grew.
So all you bra-burning feminists know exactly what to do with your flaming underwear. Or not as the case maybe. Wonder if it would work with thermal vests?
Eric.