The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1898-12-12
HARVEST HOME SEASON.
Various Forms of Celebration That
Prevail in Different Lands
Quaint Customs.

OF all autumn customs harvest
home" is one Of the oldest, and has been
celebrated in different ways and with
degrees of jollity in every country from
time immemoriaI.
The corn-husking festival is peculiar
to New England. Great yellow and red
ears of corn are piled in heap in the
barn. which is gayly decorated with
fruits and autumn flowers. Festoons
OF apple psrings decorate doors and
windows. and there are plenty of jack
o-lanterns. After the husking follow
supper and dance. or possibly straw
ride by the light of the hunters moon.
Sometimes the load of corn is brought
TO the barn by oxen with gilded horns.
Crack Nut Night IS the name Of har-
vest festival peculiar to some old towns
in Connecticut Quantities of nuts of
all kinds, with apples and cider, are
consumed. Games wind up the even
ing.
in California the vintage festival"
takes the place of the harvest home
The occasion is often celebrated by the
presentation of Greek drama. the
sage settings. costumes and environ
ments being all classic. Some spot is
chosen for the festival which presents
natural amphitheater. The Olympic
games are represented with javelin and
discus throwing and running and
wrestling. The libations at the altars
Of the gods are Of pure wine
Many quaint old customs survive in
England. One which is connected with
the feast OF ingathering. 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 ''mell supper" is another name
for this festival When the sickle is laid
down and the last sheaf set on end it is
said that they have got the kern"
the fact being announced by loud
shouting on the part of the reapers, and I
ar image. crowned with wheat and
dressed in a white frock and colored
ribbons, is hoisted on pole by the tall
est and strongest men of the party. All
circle around the kern baby" or har-
vest queen. and proceed to the barn,
where they set the image on high and
proceed to do justice to the harvest sup
per.
In Scotland the dressed sheaf is
called 'sthe maiden, and is fixed up ike
a doll. The youngest girl in the har-
vest field has the privilege of cutting
"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 costume In
some parts of Scotland the last sheaf |
is known as the "clFack" or "cailleach"
(old wonan) 1t has white cap, a
dress, little shawl over the shoulders,
fastened with sprig of heather, an
apron turned mp to form pocket, |
which is stuffed with bread and cheese. i
and sicklejs stuck in the string of the |
apron at the back At the harvest feast
The ''cailleachv is placed at the head of
the table. the company drink to her
and in the evening the lads dance with
her.
In Cornwall the last sheaf is called
the neck" and is gayly decked with
ibbons. In Devonshire small guam
fly Of the ears Of the last cora is tied
ogether into curious kind of figure,
which Is brought home with great ac-
hung mp over the table and
'ept till the next year. Z e called