New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-30
THE HARVEST HONE SEASON.
VARIOUS FORMS OF CELEBRATION THAT
PREVAIL IN DIFFERENT LANDS
QUAINT CUSTOMS

OF all autumn customs harvest home is Of
'thc oldest, and has been celebrated in different
ways and with degrees of joty in every country
from time immemorial
The corn husking festival is pecuiiar TO New Eng
land Great yellow and red of corn are piled
in a heap in the barn. which IS gayly decorated
with fruits and autumn flowers FestOons af apple
parngs decorate doors and windows. and there are
plenty of jack-o' -lanters After he huskng follow
a supper and dance. or possibly a straw ride by
the light of the hunters moon Sometimes the
load Of corn is brought to the barn by oxen with
gllded horns
Crack Nut Night IL tho name Of harvest festival
peculiar to some old towns In Connecticut. Quanti-
ties of nuts of all kinds. with apples and cider are
consumed Games wind up the evening.
In California the vintage festival" takes the
place Of the harvest home. The occasion is often
celebrated by the presentations Of Greek drama. the
stage settings costumes and environments being all
classic. Some spot is chosen for the festival which
presents a natural amphitheatre The Olympic
games are represented with iavelin and discus
throwing and running and wrestling. The libatons
at the affairs Of the gods are of pure wine.
Many quaint old customs survive in England
one which is connected with the feast of in
gathering or harvest home, is the kern supper"
which is given to the laborers by the farmer on
the completion of the cutting OF the corn.
The mel supper is another name for this festi-
val. When the sickle is laid down and the last
sheaf set end IL Is said that they nave got
the kern" the fact being announced by loud shout
ing on the part of the reapers. and an image
crowned with wheat and dressed in white frock
and colored ribbons. is hoisted a pole by the
alest and strongest men of the party. All circle
around the kern baby or harvest queen. and
proceed to the barn where they set the image on
high and proceed to do justice TO the harvest
supper
In Scotland the dressed sheaf is called the
maiden" and Is fixed up like a doll. The youngest
Girl in the harvest field has the privilege of cut
ting THE maiden" Its head Is formed OF ears
of oats broad blue ribbon Is tied in bow around
the neck and skirt OF paper completes the cos
tune In some parts OF Scotland the last sheaf is
known ~ the 'ciyack" "cailleach" cold woman.
II has "A white cap. dress. a little shawl over the
shoulder fastened with sprg OF heather. an
apron turned up 20 form pocket which Is stuffed
with bread and cheese. and sickle IL stuck In tho
string of the apron At the back. At the harvest
feast the "caieach is placed at the head OF the
table the 0mpany drink TO her and I'm the evening
the lads dance with her
In Cornwall the last sheaf is called the neck. d"
and Is gayly decked with ribbons. In DeVonshire
a small quantity OF the OF the last tied
together into "a curious kind of figure. which Is
brought home with great acclamation. hung up
over the table and kept Till the year. 1t Is
called 'knack" and bad luck betde the house
hold which parts with II.