The Osceola times., 1888-12-01
sHucKlNo rAE. CORN.
Inc Leading ran fes,ivity Among

Farmers Of Georgia.
The Southern farmer who propose.
VI give corn-shucling piles the corn
IN a suitable place as near the crib as
convenient. The neighborhood has been
duly notified of the event, and a crowd
Is certain II will not be long after
when the colored people-men, women
ana children-begin TO put in an an.
pearance. As soon as the number is
large enough there is a division into
Two parties. The two best shuckers
are chosen 'generals," one TO lead
each party. The corn pile il then
divided. This Is of great impor.
tance' The pile is figurativoly sepa-
rated by laying fence rail across
the top, There is always a good deal
OF argument and no little wranrlinr
over this, as each general is anxious
TO get the best OF it. Finally settled.
however the leaders mount the pilo
themselves in order to be in a position
where they can overlook and encour-
age their followers. They also make
sure that the rail is not moved to their
damage II frequently happens that
when one side is gaining Ii decided nd
vantage the "gin'r'ln OF the other will
push his rival off the pile and cause a
momentary panic, that is quickly taken
advantage Of This, however, is only
tolerated in extreme cases. as it in-
variably leads to IN out-and-out row.
As the shucking goes on there is an
accompanying song with "a chorus.
One of the prime requisites of good
'gin'r1n is that he have good voice
to carry the song. The singing is
kept up until the shucking stops, and
although the words and melody may
be simple, half a hundred pairs Of
lusty lungs can make them decidedly
stirring, The common form is for the
generals TO alternate in the line they
sing, with the chorus after each. I'M
der the stimulus of the singing and
the excitement of the affair, an aston
ishing amount OF corn is handled.
The rivalry between the contesting
sides is intense, every nerve being
strained to gain a victory. A party
of New Englanders, even in
the height OF their merry-making,
would think pandemonium had broken
loose II they could be set down in the
midst OF n Georgia constructing,
while tho social exchanges after the
hiisking bee and the frolic succeeding
tho corn-shuckiug are equally At yari-
ince.
It's no rare occurrence COR shuck-
ing TO terminate in row instead of a
frolic, for if one side is badly beaten in
the struggle, charges Of fraud are al
most sure to be made. II such claims
can be substantiated, a first-class fight
ensues, ears of corn being used az
missiles, The owner of the premises
alone can restore peace aud order. But
II the race has been an even one, good
humor will prevail. After the sluck-
ing Is over, the FIRST thing in order is to
express thanks for the entertainment,
The usual method is for couple OF
strong men to Shoulder the host
and march around with him TO u song
With Walk away, walk awayr@for 4
chorus. This honor, however uncom
Portable it may be, has tobe undergone
by the farmer, as refusal is consid
cred churlish. The sport coming aftel
usually starts with wrestling match
a dance following. II there is a bi,
barn the floor is cleared and the exer
cises carried out on ii. But barns ar,
the exception in Georgia, and th'
dancing is more commonly upon th'
ground. with torches and boniires fol
light One fiddler furnishes the music
and "Run, Niger, Run" Arkansas
Traveller .Forky Deer" aud othei
tunes are run into each other withou
stop. Jigs and cotilions are danced
endurance being a strong point in the
dancers merits. st Louis Globe Dem,
ocrd.