The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-09-18
FARM AND GARDEN.
Changes Produced in Very Laborious Occu-
patton by the Introduction of Machinery
Various Suggestions.
Ancient and Modern Having.

patton by the Introduction Of Machinery
Various Suggestions.
Ancient and Modern Hay1ng.
There is scarcely any occupation,
says The Chicago Times, that has un-
dergone so great changes during the
period of generation as that of hay
ing. Many speak of the revolution
that has occurred in almost every kind
of manufacturing establishment by the
Introduction of various machines that
are propelled by water or steam power.
But greater change has occurred in
the field where grass is cut and cured
for the support of animals during the
winter. In almost all manufacturing
establishments some of tho hand tools
that were in use forty years ago are
still needed to do the work. In the
haying field, however, the work is now
performed by machines drawn or op-
Grated by animals. On many large
farms, where several hundred acres of
grass are harvested, not hand scythe
or rake can be found. Grass that can
not be cut with mowing-machine is
left untouched. After the grass IS cut
the tedder scatters it about or places
it where 1t will be in the best condition
to dry. When it is sufficiently cured
the horse-rake collects it into wind
rows. On many farms all or nearly
all the pitching is done by machinery.
The labor is placed on animals to per-
form. The machine has driven out OF
the haying field all kinds of hand
tools.
Not many years ago haying was the
most iaborious occupation on farms.
Now it is one of the lightest. Then it
employed not only all the mon and
boys on the places, but all that could
be procured in the neighboring villa
ges. Often many kinds of business
were suspended to give the men an
opportunity to work in the haying
field. They were sure of receiving
higher wages than could be obtained
in most other employments, and of
having chance to work while there
was little going on in towns. Not un-
frequently women, girls, and children
worked in the haying fields. They
spread out the green grass from the
swaths, raked it when dry, ana ffol-
lowed the cart'' that the men were
loading. 1t was generally necessary
to employ all the available help in the
neighborhood in order to secure the
hay crop in proper season. Hay
makers were obliged to work very long
hours. The mowers were expected to
be up by daylight and to be in the
field before sunrise. Time was often
too precious to admit of going to the
farm house to obtain meals. Lunches
and often dinners were brought out
for the men in the fields, and supper
was not eaten till it was too late to ad-
NIT of working. With the many Ia
borers, the hard work, and the long
hours, the haying season was extended
through fully two months.
Haying has now become an easy oc-
cupation, employing only the
number of men who ordinarily work
ON the farm. Old men, women, girls,
and little boys are no longer seen in
the haying field. There is nothing for
them to do. The hours for hayiEg are
no longer than those for planting or
cultivating. 1t is not necessary to cut
grass while the dew is on it because
the work is done easier. The machine
and the horses that draw it never
complain being fatigued. Men engag-
ed in haying do not go to the field in
the morning twilight or remain till
dusk. The cost of hay machines has
been greatly reduced in places where
improved machinery can be employed
to advantage. In many parts of the
west grass is cut, cured, and put in
stack for Is cents per ton, although
laborers receive much higher wages
than they did thirty years ago. There
is no longer trouble in securing all
the hay needed to keep any amount
of farm stock. Hay is SO easily put up
in many places that farmers pay little
attention to taking care of straw or to
saving corn fodder. They raise no
roots for stock food and sow no rye
for affording winter pasturage. Sci
entific discovery, and skill in the
construction of labor-saving ma
chinery have accomplished more
in the naying field than IN the work
shop.
In no respect has the condition of
the laborer been injured by the intro
duction of machinery into the haying
field. The poet. novelists and painters
find little to admire in the haying field
at the present time. 81 know moth
ing" writes an English novelist, $50
cheerful, SO genial, and yet so peace
bestoWing, as the sound, in the first
hours of the morning, OF the whetting
of scythes. 1t is the happy mean be-
tween utter rural silence and the roar
of the crowded city; SO exhilarating,
SO sociable, and yet so undisturbing
is it's unaffected music. What quiet,
happy laugh there is IN it! What half
subdued humor, what friendly good
nature! The sound never ceased.
Field after field took up the magic
morning music. Sometimes it was
played on perfect orchestra of in
struments." All the pastoral poets
from Virgil to Wordsworth have sung
of the merry, haymakers. The paint
ers of every land have transferred the
picturesque scenes of the haylng field
to canvass. They have shown the
mowers bensing to their work, the
boys spreading out the grass to dry,
the women and girls. clad in scarlet
frocks, with gypsy bonnets ON their
heads, raking the hay, and the strong
men pitching it on to carts. The
building of the stack has been the
subject that has inspired many paint
nv, Tbara ic 1itf1o r,ootrry no ~, n =, 40