Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-02-04
FARM AND GARDEN.
Changes Produced In n Very IAborious 0ccu-
patton by the Introduction Of Machinery
Various Suggestions.



There Is scarcely any occupation,
says The Chicago Times, that has UNI
dergonc so great changes during the
period of a 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 OPP
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 10
left untouched. After the grass IS cut
the tedder scatters it about or places
it where 1T wall 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
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 lightest. Then it
employed not only all the men 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 a chance to work while there
was little going on in towns. Not I'M
frequently women, girls, and children
worked in the haying fields. They
spread out the green grass from the
swaths, raked il when dry, and s.foi-
lowed the cart" that the men were
loading. 1t was generally necessary
10 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
DO up by daylight and to be in the
field before sunrise. Time was often
too precious to admit of going TO the
farmhouse TO obtain meals. Lunches
aud often dinners were brought out
for the men in the fields. and supper
was not eaten till il was too late TO adj
NIT of working. With the MANY la
borers, the hard work, and the long
hours, the haying season was extended
through fully two months.
Haying has now become an easy oc-
cnpation. employing only the
number of men who ordinarily work
on the farm. Old men. women, girls,
and little boys are no longer seen in
tho haying field. There is nothing for
them TO do. The hours for hayiEg are
no longer than those for planting or
cultiyating. Ii 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 1t never
complain being fatigued. Men engag-
ed ia having 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
10 advantage. In many parts of the
west grass cut, cured, and put in
stacl: for rs 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
asNs - aEs a.,
saving corn fodder. They raise no
roots for stock food and SOW no rye
for aifording winter pasturage. Sci
entiiic 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
4. the present time. II know moth
ing. writes an English novelist, $50
cheerful, so genial, and yet so peace
bestowiug. as the sound, in the first
hours of the morning, of the whetting
OF scythes II 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 its unaffected music. What quiet,
happy laugh there is IN IL! What hall
subdued humor, what friendly good
nature! The sound never ceased.
Field after field took up the magic
morning music. Sometimes ii was
prayed 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 haying field
10 canvass. They have shown the
mowers bending 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.
ers. There is little poetry or romance
about the modern haying field. Every
thing pertaining to the picturesque
has departed, never to return. Every
machine designed to do a large amount
of labor in short time is, in the ma
ture of things, prosaic. 1t is only
suggestive of gain. and any money
getting employment is unpoetical
The losses that have been sustained
by the Introduction of machinery int,
the haying field have, however, beet
very small compared with the gains
Cheap and abundant hay amply com
pensatos for the loss of a few pic