Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-03
Alcohol in Harvesting.

1t was the general belief, formerly, that
summer harvesting and hay-makinG could
not be carried on without ardent spirits
Then almost every farmer provided himself
with his keg or barrel Of New England rum
for these occasions. Many farmers have as
certained by actual experiment. in later
wears, that the cradle and the Scythc can be
used efficiently, even better, without than
with il. If there are any who adhere 10 the
old creed, and who show their faith by their
works. they are respectfully requested 10
read the following extract from The Far
mcr's Guide" published in lS2i, by DIR.
Brown and his son.
The practical farmer will find more valua-
bic common sense suggestions III In : unprc-
tending volume. than in many Of the more
expensive modern works Oh agriculture:
"In summer harvesting and moving II
has been too customary to use ardent spirits.
We are confident the effects of Pandora's
tabled box never produced one half the ills
among mankind, even in story, that have in
reality been occasioned by the fell products
of the accur<ed alembic-"whosc worm ou;-
venoms all the worms of Nile Health and
lctlNlIN are 10 nc l'th''i u M i''''
those who use not ardent spirits. In har-
vest time. or on any occasion OF increased
labor. farmers could not use. perhaps, Il
more refreshing drink than milk and water.
sometimes swcctencd, and a little cider al
ded, or vinegar and water sweetened, or
good small beer. We know, from long cx-
perience, ardent spirits are by no means ne,
~cessary, even when on long journeys and
suffering the peltings of the pitiless storm
Even were we strong Calvinists, or rs trm
l~atalists AZ the Turks. and SO should con-
cludc that all the temperance we could posi-
blv exercise would not prolong life 4 single
day. vet we might cherish the sublime salts
faction OF ijrjaq while we live; for we look
on those as worse than halt dead 10 all true
endowment who drag out Il wretched lIie ol
intempcrancc. Oh, beware of inccptive, Oh
ten deceptive and seductive ingurgltatlons.
In our Revolutionary war, DIR. Rush recon-
mended that instead of rum, which could not
be had, the laborerS in harvest should mix
Il very small proportion of vinegar with the
water used as drink. This succeeds SO well,
that years afterwards, in many places, vine
gar continued to be used. though rum could
easily be had. The preference of vinegar
: 10 ruin Is lttDulllti lbT III lIllS ain ~
we're labor or exercise excites IL degree OF
fever. and that fever is increased by spirits
or tcrmented liquors of any sort: but vine
gar. at the same time that it prevents mis-
chief from drinking cold water during the
heat and pcrspiration occasioned by "xer,
else, allays the fever, and the laborerS found
themselves more refreshed and less exhaus-
ted ut night when vinegar was used instead
of rum. The Romans used vinegar TO nix
with water for tho drink of their soldiers
i cooled the heat of my blood with vinegar,
which | mixed with water and sugar. and
drank of it largely said the celebrated De-
non, who was with the French army i'll Up
per Egypt. The laborers in some districts
of England, it is said. during harvest, make
use of no other beverage than milk and wa,
ter, which is found To allay the fever and
quench the thirst, much more than beer or
ale. They confess that they are much soon
cr thirsty, after drinking either OF these
than they are after drinking milk and wa
FOR"