The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-08-28
FARM AND GARDEN.
Changes Produced in Very Laborlous Occu.
patton by the Introduction Of Machinery
Various Suggestions.

FARM AND GARDEN.
Changes Produced In Very Iaborlous Occu.
patton by tho Introduction OF Machinery
Various Suggestions.
Ancient and Modern laying.
There is scarcely any occupation,
says Tile Chicago Times, that has un-
dergone so great changes during the
period of a generation as that of hay
ing. Many speak of tho revolution
that has occurred in almost every kind
OF manufacturing establishment by tho
introduction Of various machines that
are propelled by water or steam power.
But greater change has occurred in
the field whore grass Is cut and cured
for the support of animals during tho
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 OPP.
Grated by animals. On many large
farms, where several hundred acres of
grass are harvested, not hand scytho
or rake can be found. Grass that can
not be cut with q mowing-machine is
left untouched. After the grass Is cut
the fodder scattcrs it about or places
it where 1t will be in the best condition
to dry. When it is sufficiently cured
the hcrsc-rakc collects it into wind
rows. On many farms I'LL or nearly
all the pitching is done by machinery.
The labor is placed on animals to per-
form. The machine has driven out of
tho haying field all kinds of hand
too,s.
Not many years ago haying was the
most laborious occupation on farms.
Now it is one of the lightcst. Then it
employed not only all the mon and
boys on tho places, but all that could
be procured in the ncighboring villa.
gcs. Often many kinds of business
were suspended to give tho men an
opportunity to work in tho haying
field. They were sure of receiving
higher wages than could be obtained
in most other employmcnts. 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, rakcd ii when dry, and "fol-
lowed tho cart" that tho men wore
loading. 1t was generally necessary
to employ all the available help in the
ncighborhood 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 lie in the
field before sunrise. Time was often
too precious to admit of going to the
farmhouse to obtain meals. Lunches
and often dinners were brought out
for tho men in the fields, and supper
was not eaten till it was too late to adj
NIT Of working. With the many Ia.
borers, tho hard work, and the long
hours, the kaylng season was extended
through fully two months.
Haying has now become an easy oc-
:upatiOE, 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 EayinS field. There is nothing for
them to do. The hours for laying arc
no longer than those for planting OF
cultivating. 1t is not necessary to cut
grass while the dew il on it because
the work is done easier The machine
and the horses that draw it never
complain being fatigued. Men engage
ed in haying do not go to tho field in
the morning twilight or remain till
dusk. The cost Of hay machines has
been greatly reduced in places whore
improved machinery can be employed
to advantage. In many parts of tho
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 noeIci 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 pasturagc. Sci
entiiic discovery n.d skill in the
construction OF labor-saviny ma.
chinery have accomplished moro
in the haying field than In the work.
shop.
In no respect has the condition of
tho laborer been injured by the intro.
duction of machinery into tho having
field. The poet, novclists and painters
find little to admire in the hayine field
ut tho present time. II know moth
ing" writes an English novelist. $50
cheerful, so genial. ami yet so peace
bestowing, us the sound, in tho first
hours of the morning, of tho whettiny
sf seythes. 1t is the happy mean be-
tween utter rural silence and the roar
of the crowded city; sc oxIii!arating.
so sociable, and yet SO undisturb;ng
is its unaffected music. What a quiet,
happy laugh there is IN it! What half
subdued humor, what friendly good
natiirei The sound never ceased.
Field after field took up tho magic
morning music. Sometimes it was
played on y perfect orchestra of in
struments. All the pastoral poets
from Virgil to Wordsworth have sung
of the merry haymakcrs. The paint
ers Of every land have transferred the
picturesque scenes of the haying field
to canvass. They have shown the
mowers bending to their work, tho
boys spreading out tho grass to dry,
the women and girls, clad in scarlet
frocks, with gypsy bonnets OH their
heads, raking the hay. and the strong
men pitching it O., to carts. The
building Of the stack has bccn the
subject that has inspired many paint
crs. There is liltle poetry or romance
about the modern haying field. Every
thing pertaining to tho picturesque
has departed, never to return. Every
machine designed to do q large amount
OF labor in Il short time is, in the ma
ture OF things, prosaic. 1t is only
suggestive OF gain, and any money
getting employment is unpoeticat.
The losses that have been sustained
by the Introduction of machinery into
the haying field have, however, been
very small compared with the gains.
Cheap and abundant hay amply COM
pensates for tho loss Of q few pic
turesque scenes and a little poetic sen.
timcnt.
Farm Suggestions l