Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-11-08
MISCELLANY.
From Life Illustrated.
A DAYS WORK ON A FARM.

BY JEREMY LOUD.
A well-ordered farm is little republic of
itself. Every day brings its duties, recurring
as regularly as the rising and setting of the sun.
Things do rot 60 BY bell, TO be sure, as they
do in hot and rattling facory-town; butthey
come round in as unbroken an order, describ-
ing as perfect circle, and representing as mo-
mcntous interests and necessities.
At about three O'Clock in the morning, in
summertime, an old cock crows. You know
his perch is in the basement of The barn, his
call sounds so mulfied and distant. Another
chanticleer, who has only been awaiting this
signal from his elder, lifts himself proudly he
side his danes, and gives luster crow, that
seems TO have somewhat of defiance in it. In
mediaiely a third, and fourth, and, presently,
every cock that has home in the vicinity,
sounding. aloud and clear in the dim twilight Of
the morn. They call to each other from farm
to farm, from valley TO valley, and hillside to
hillside The still air becomes alive. Every
barn-yard sends forth its note ofwelcome to the
breaking day, as shrill and ringing as the call
of trumpet. The household wakes; for by
this familiar token they know that the gates of
the morning are ready to be thrown open.
The farmer who pretends TO be farmer,
dresses and hurries off to call his help and the
housewife is pauering over pans aud kettles in
the kitchen, making ready to roast and fly, stew
and bake, in tie large fireplace with dozen
pot-hooks hanging from the crane. The men
trudge off to the cow-yard as soon as they can
see. and slender streams Of milk are fast churn-
ing into the foaming pals they hold between
their knees Around the door troop the old
hens that have chiehens in charge, cucking,
and scratching, and picking as busly as they
had not the whole summer-day before them, and
the bugs and insects not yet fairly awake nei,h-
er. The cat goes purring around the kitchen
and the yatd, rubbing herself up against every
body, and, in this alieclionate style, rendering
the expressions Of her joy at seeing the family
once more.
When the hired men and boys have soused
their heads in the fresh water that stands on
the bench outside, and milking is over, they be-
take themselves to the shed, or The barn, or the
corn-house, and take their scythes, and rakes,
and forks in their hands for the work of the
day. Some grind the scythes, making the boys
turn the grindstone. Others busy themselves
over the haycart, putting the rigging 10 rights
for the afternoon loads Others see TO the
horses and the cattle, or carry swill to the fat
teniug pigs. The farm-yard for short time,
is scene of the pleasantest bustle.
All this time, in the house, preparations for
breakfast have been going forward. One by
one the several dishes go upon the board, ill
the mistress announces that they may ''set up
now," and they draw near with the sharpest
appetites Imaginable. 1t does one good to see
farmers eat their breakfasts, they are so hearty
about it, They don't stop to mince the matter
at ALL Everything tastes so good. A junk OF
cold meat is junk of cold meat, to be eaten al
once, and not TO torment their healthy stomachs
with qualms dyspepsia The table is simple,
and yet it is loaded with the fat of the land, =
Cream, new milk, yellow butter, eggs, cold
lamb or beef, fried potatoes and carrots, elegant
brown bread cut as thick as pound cake--these
are the delicacies on farmers morning table
and they all know how to appreciate them.
il is having time. Anybody ought 10 under
stand that this is the busiest time in the year.
/ The women clear off the table as soon break.
| feast is over, wash up the dishes, and hurry to
finish their work over the churn or the cheese
tub. Or they take time by the forelock, as
smart women everywhere know how to do, and
go about getting the dinner; for as sure as sun
in the meridian throws down a shadow in a
certain line, with the help of the tall chimney
in the rear, the horn must be blown, and the
lawmakers are to be summoned to their noon
repast. Aud it is no fool of job 10 get din
ner for eight OF len hungry haymakers, either
So IN the garden they go--for every decen
farmer will have his garden close by the door
and pick vegetables Of every description