The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-08-12
Hnnniness in the Har.FieId.

In most other kinds of farm labor there
is something disagreeable. Flowing
when occasionally, failing to turn the sod,
one gets on his knees, and lifts with his
hands and arms what the pillow failed to
do, that the furrow may be open for the
next slice-is sure to dirty ones hands,
and bend unpleasantly ones back. if it
does not (fguratively s~peaking) break it.
Then, in planting, one always gets his
shoes full of dirt, and whole boots especial
" for boys) are the exception, not the
rule. Later in the year, when hoeing
las the New Engianders call the manipu-
lation they give the earthin the potato and
corn fields working where the thermome-
ter marks at least 130o with the soil I'M
der ones feet in a condition to roast eggs
in from three to five minutes, stopping at
the hills to pull weeds, or lessen the number
of stalks giving the sun meanwhile a
good, square chance at ones back-is not
an occupation so unspeakably desirable as
some amateurs might imagine.
But when July comes, and farewells have
been spoken to the corn and potatoes, the
scythes ground. the moving machine put
in order, and all else in readiness for effec-
tive work, there is something about the
clean earth on which one treads, and the
fragrance of blossoms, and the new mown
grass, that enthralls one, and makes every
enthusiastic tiller of the soil u~nspeakably
glad in his joyous and delightful work.
All this in general. Let us come down
to particulars. The work of haying can be
made especially pleasant:
FIRsT.-By beginning early. There is a
Joy In working when your labor produces
the best and highest results. There is a
comfort in cutting fresh grass and curing
it for your cows-in such a way as will
bring to them the most satisfaction and
the most good that is never found in
moving dead-ripe stalks that they would
not touch when green, and only will to
prevent starvation when gathered into the
barn. Besides, if you are driven by your
work-perplexed as to which field to cut
first, when all are waiting and wasting-all
the delights of the season vanish.
SECoND.--Phn BEFOREHAND Each days
work should nave the .~distinctness of a
campaign in the directors mind when the
morning comes. 1t is generally best to
settle the prominent points the night be-
fore, and when nee decided upon, all
vacillation or change is for the worse.
THIRD.-InSiSt upon prOmpneSS. Mako
each man do his work in the t:me speci-
fed, and at the time specified. An hours
delay Will sometimes dlsarrange a whole
week. 1t is like a battalion in an army
failing to put in an appearance when or
dered. .'
FoURTH-Neuer leace til tomorrow tohat
can be done to-day. Ifyou have an hour at
night, grind the scythes then, and not wait
till morning. If you have a load of hay in
the wagon at six o'clock in the afternoon,
pitch it of then. and not wait till the NOR
row. If there is a cloudy day, NOV uneven
places with a seythe, and not wait for sum-
shine-you will be needed elsewhere then;
and thus, in every department, keeping
yourself master of the situation-drivIng
the work instead of the work driving you.
By so doing, the pleasure that naturally
comes of the season and of the business
will be dou5led, and instead of discomfort
and distraction, there will be Joy of what
you are doing and in what you do.-Hedrth
and Home. -. rl.