The sun., 1901-10-02
OF INTEREST
To FARMERS

~ | nNmLNU
Wherever, throughout the earth, there
is such Il thing MS Il formal hayest, there
also appears an inclination to mark il
with festive celebration. The wonder,
the gratitude, the piety felt toward tho
great author of nature, when II IS
brought before MS that, once more, MS il
has ever been, the ripening Of Il few yal-
ieties Of grass has furnished food for
| enrth's teeming millions. insure that
there should everywhere lie some sort
of feast of inggthrring In England this
festival passes generally under The ~
deared name Of Harvest Home. lii Scot
land, where that term Is unknown the
festival Is hailed under the name Of the
i<irn. In the north Of England, its or1
nary designation is the Mcll-Snpper AMI
| here are perhaps other local namrs But
everywhere there Is thankful joy, d
feeling which pervades all ranks and con-
'ltions of the rural people, and for once
in the year brings all upon a level. The
servant sympathizcs with the success Of
his master in the great labors Of thn
year. The employer looks kindly down
upon his toiling servants, and feels it
but duo to them that they should have q
banquet furnished ont of the abundance
which God has given him--one in which
he and his family should join them. all
conventional distinctions sinking under.
| the overpowrriIlg gush Of natural, and
| il may be added. religious feeling, which
SO well hefits the time.
In the old simple days Of England, be-
fore the natural feelings of the people
I..,1 ,.i,a 4 4
puritanism in the first place, and whnt
may be called gross commcrciaiSm in tho
second. the harvest home was such i
scene as Iorace's friends might have
expected to see nj his Sabine farm. or
'rheocritus described in his Idylls. Per-
haps il really was the very same scene
which was presented in ancient times
The grain last cut was brought home
in its wacon--callod the hook cart->;,lr-
mounted by figure formed of shraf
with gay dressings-a prcsumabc repro
sentntion Of the goddess Ceres-wl1e
= pine and tabor went merrily sound
ing in front. and the reapers trippr1
Ground in a hand-in-hand ring, singing
appropriate songs. or simply by shonts
md cries giving vent TO the excitement
If the day.
Bucknghamshrc-i was favoritc
practical Joke to lay an ambuseade III
some place where u high bank or Il tree
gave opportunity, and drcnch the hook.
cart party with water Great was the
mcrrimcnt, when this was crvcrly AMI
effectively done. the riders laughing.
while they shook themselves. as merlilg
rs the rest. Under I'LL the rustic jocos-
tinsy ,f bp shan, "a
Of pagan custom: but il was such as
not to exclude Christian sympathy III
deed, the hnrvest-home of Old England
was obviously and beyond question Il
piece Of natural religion. an ebullition
Of jocnrd gratitude 10 the divine source
Of all earthly blessings.
Such was formerly the method of con
iucting the harvest feast: and in some
instances il is still conducted much in
he same manner bnt there is growing
tendency IN the present day, TO abolish
this method and substitute in its place
n general harvest festival for the whole
parish. to which all the farmers are cx-
nectcd TO contribute, and which their Ia
borers may freely attend. This festival
Is usually commenced with special ser.
vice in the church followed by u dinner
in tent or in some building sufficient
" large and continued with rural sports
and sometimes including 4 tca-drnking
for the women. But this parochial gath
rring IS destitute of one important
ncnt in the harvest supper. II is Of too
general character. II provides no nar-
ticular means for attaching the lHborors
TO their respective masters. If y lahorar
have any unpleasant feeling towards hi
master. or is conscious of ncglecting Iii
duty, or that his conduct has been Of
fcnsivc towards his master. he will fe
ashamed of going to his house to par
take Of his hospitality. but he will attend
without scrnple y general feast provided
hv many contributors because he viii
feel under no special obligation to his
own master. But If the feast be solely
provided by his master. if he receive
nh invitation from him. il he finds him
self welcomed TO his house. sits with him
IT his table. is encouraged to enjoy him
self, is allowed To converse freely with
him, and treated by him with kndnrS,
and car'linlity, his prciudicrs and ls
pcrtieS will lie dispelet!, and natural
good will and attachment established. Tn
hospitality of the old-fashioned harvest
supper. and other similar agricultural
feaStS. We're bond Of union between tn
farmer and his worE-peoplc of incstim
able value. The only objection alleged
tgainst such u feast, is that it oftca.
lads to intrmperancc. so would the hat
vest festival, We're not regulations adons
ed to prevent it. IF SIMILAR regulations
were applied to the farmers harvest
crast, the objection would be removed
LET the farmer invite the clergymcn nf
his paris.l, and other soher-mind6d friends
and with their assistance to carry out
good regulations, temperance viii cas,.y
lie preserved.
The modern harvest festival as y
parochial THANKSGIVING for the hountice
Of Providence. Is m excellent institution
IN addition TO the old harvest feast. hut
II should not he considered as a sui
stitute for IT,
YOUNG MRS. GRUMPY.
Fashions for the Very Young,