The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-12-18
The Old Time Corn Husking.
Written for the Democratic Advocate
BY ONE WHO WAS THERE.

| 6uCCecucu III OWO OAfoNo "a SoAe@SS -
grow, where but one grew before. In
other words, agricultural products have been
doubled. The yield, per acre, is twice as
great as it was in the olden time, or as ii
was forty or fifty years ago. Labor-saving
machinery is entitled to much of the credit
for this result, but in the matter of corn
husking no machinery has been invented to
facilitate this operation of the farmer.
The present mode of husking corn in the
field, by the hands upon the farm, is te-
dious and protracted job, a step backward,
as it were, from the practice pursued un-
der the old slavery regime.
| We seldom or never hearof a corn husk-
ing match in these days, such as were COM
mon in the days of our fathers In the
good old days, single night served to husk
out the entire crop of the largest farms.
The process was this: The corn having
been 81 pulled from the stalks, (Which had
been previously Of tops and blades
and hauled into the barn-yafd; was wsssss> >rlcked
up about four feet high and five or six feGt
thick, and extended in circle, or the seq
ment of circle, around the yard, accord
ing to the size of the same or the quantity
of corn hauled in. A night for the husk-
ing was then selected, and due notice given
to the neighbors and all the colored men
within a radius of five miles or more.
Early in the evening of the day appointed
for the husking might be heard the stem
torian voices of the negro laborers, as they
drew near, in groupes of five or ten or more,
singing their corn songs in chorus on all
the approaches to the farm. As soon as a
sufficient number were present at the corn
pile, two captains were chosen, and an
equal number fmen were assigned to each.
The compile was then accurately measur-
ed and divided in half, by rail or pole,
on either side of which stood the two cap
tains at the head of their respective men.
The husking-match then began. As fresh
men arrived they were assigned alternately
to different sides of the pole. The husks
were thrown behind the men as the match
progressed, and the corn tossed in heap
in the centre of the circle. 1t was usual to
have a barrel or two of cider on such oc-
casions. which was served to the laborers
in copious draughts as preliminary to the
match. Then the contest began in earnest
and the strife was as to which party should
get done first. Sometimes, at large husk-
ings, there would be as many as forty OIL
fifty men on side, and their sonorous
I voices. when singing their eorn-songs in
concert. could be heard for miles around
/ These songs were of the simplest character
lr.ryi lSTr>l and All tbs tthhe Others Joining
in the chorus, in a sort Of antiphonal melo-
DIV. They usually celebrated the prowess
of some leader or bully in the neighbor-
hood. Sometimes they would vent their
grudges against each other in their songs,
or against overseers or masters. For In
stance. a certain man who hired his laborers
from their masters, was accounted hard
task-master. That was his reputation
among the colored men, and he was the
subject of frequent allusion in their songs
Here is one as a sampie+--
Harry Crapper killed Niger,
Johndy-boy, hello.
Skinned him for his hide and taller,
Johndy boy, hello,
Oh you Harry Crapperl
Johndy-boy, hello!
Oh you Harry Crapper,
Johndy-boy, hello
The first line of this simple song wa
sung by one man, all joining in the secont
line or chorus. As the singing and husk
ing went on, the proprietor and his assist
ants went round the circle plying the husk
ers with jorum, and taking care that tn
corn was not thrown back and covered VI
with the husks. This covering up of un
husked corn was common trick in orde
to beat the adversary, and it generally tool
the master and several assistants to keel
the corn well up from under the feet o
the huskers and to keep the husks fa
enough behind the huskers to preven
them from practicing this cheat. Whel
the Jug and cup had passed round severa
times, it was followed by additional fervo
of song, and the raining of the husked corI
upon the common heap. If the mattel
seemed doubtful, and the contest spirited
an ear of corn would occasionally be shieC
at the head of some antagonist. This, O
course, would provoke retaliation and re
turn ear. As the evening wore on and the
corn-heap was rapidly wearing away, thu
huskers grew more and moro spirited OF
either side, and the song resounded loude
and louder. Every nerve was stretched
for the victory. As the lessening heap o
the one or the other side indicated which
way victory inclined, the excitement grew
more and more intense and rose to fevel
heat. Taunts and jeers and derisive laugh
ter would begin to come from the prospec
tive victors. This would kindle resentmen
on the other side. Prestently might b
seen one and another going stealthily tt
the wood pile, chopping short lapwoot
stick about the length of your arm anC
sticking it quietly into the adjacent
straw-stack. These movements bode nj
good, and it now required the kneenes
vigilance of the master and his white as
sistants to capture these hidden bludgeon
to prevent mischief when the contest i
ended and the husking over. When til
corn has all been husked, the victorious
party hoist their captain on their shoulder
and bear him in triumph around the barn
ward, singing as they 60, and making thu
welkin ring with their songs, huzzas, ant
hilarity. This is the time for the utmos
caution to prevent conflict and preserv
the peace From the finished corn-heal
to the house or quarter is the next step
Here the most ample provision has beel
made for the entertainment Of the Who'll
party. Boiled hams, roast mutton, roas
turkey, oysters stewed and fried, roast beef
baked chicken, vegetables of every variet
and hot coffee are served in the quartz
under the superintendences Of the trust
servants Of the farm with such assistant
as they may select. The master, in tn
mean time, has had his especial friends an
visitors seated at sumptuous board in hi
mansion, and the feast continues until nool
of night. Rising from the table the gen
tlemen repair to the quarter to see tn
sport going on there, which is now at il
height. The banjo, the fiddle, the bone'
iuba, and the dance, are all in full bias
and this hilarity is kept up until the W
small hours begin to admonish the guest
that it is time to think of home. Nor
n