The private rituals were observed primarily by farmers in rural areas. At earliest dawn the sheep fold had to be cleansed with water, swept, and decorated with laurel branches and a wreath at its entrance. The sheep were fumigated with sulfur, and then a fire of olive and pine wood was kindled on a turf altar. The crackling of laurel branches thrown into it gave a good omen. Offerings of millet, food, and pails of milk were brought. Facing the east, the shepherds then prayed to Pales four times, seeking protection for themselves and their flocks and forgiveness for any unwitting transgressions. They washed their hands in dew, drank burranica (milk mixed with must), and were sprinkled with water shaken from laurel branches. The worshipers lay about eating and drinking on the grass and after twilight leaped through bonfires of straw set three in a row, a rite which they believed would make them fruitful.