Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-11-25
CHAT

A reader saws. Please tell us some
thing definite about Harvest homes. l,
OF course. have a hszy idea, but II 1
had TO explain il TO my children would
make a bungle OF IL. I did not know
until YOU told US that Halloween and
All Saints were different festivals"
Every nation or section OF the world
that plants much OF any one thing has
sCme sort OF Thanksgiving at the in
gathering Of the years most important
crop Did you ever stop TO think OF the
fact that almost every month Of the
year is q harvest month somewhere in
the world? Consequently these festi-
walls are held according TO the climate
4 OF the country.
TIE Greeks and Romans not only ded-
fcated festivals TO Ceres who presided
over the grain. but to Bacchus. the god
of the grape, and POrncna, the goddess
OF fruits There also were malignant
spirits who had TO be pIacated and in
April feast was held in honor OF Rob
igalia. the goddess of mildew.
The Jews were commanded to cb-
serve the festival OF harvest as we may
see by reading the ED chapter OF Exc
dus. And the Or.entals still offer the
first rice or barley 10 the gods Of their
temples In japan a certain day in No
vember is a holiday because at that
time the emperor eats his first new rice.
Harvest Home. Doubtless this feast
was first connected with the worship Of
Apollo, the sun-gOd, TO whom bread,
cakes and fruits were offered at harvest
time The Britons received many things
from their cOnquerOrs, the Romans, be-
side good roads. human laws and more
comfortable homes. The maypole is a
survival OF a festival that may be trac-
ed to Floralia. holiday for Flora, the
goddess Of flowers
In different parts Of England the oc-
cas.on has different names. "Churn,' or
Corn Supper" ''Mel-supper," Harvest
Home Harvest Supper"
Some say that Mel-supper comes
from Meal supper, as new meal was
used for the first time That seems
plausible, but at one time BritOn was
overrun with Norman French and me
ler' is a French word that means TO
mingle freely together, as master and
man do mingle at that season, so IL
may come from the French word
II was usual to give the labOrers
cream to drink with their new bread
and -Churn supper" may come from
mat, although many think II comes
from a corruption OF corn supper. Il
There arc even yet many forms Of en-
tertainmeut at the Harvest home. POta-
20 cakes or scenes Favored with caraway
seed are popular at Harvest homes in
Ireland. Nowadays. although there are
machinss to do much OF the work, the
neIghbOrs assemble to assist. as the ma
chine is hired and a supper is provided.
And the ffaiI Is sometimes seen even
row in remote parts OF ireland, Scotland .
and Wales.
Oid-fashioned labOrers think ii a very
bad omen If any OF the sheaves all from ,
the wagons while being carted in. and
in some places the last load must be .
driven by the farmers wife
The Harvest Queen. or Corn Lady pre- !
sides at the supper which generally con-
sists OF the most popular dishes Of that
district OF course new wheaton or
Oaten cakes formed a part Of the meal
and a drink. called frumity. made OF
the new wheat boiled in milk with sugar
and spice. Herrick knew il as a dainty
IN his day. and says;
well on. brave boys. to your Lords
hearth,
GIittering with fire. where. for your
mirth.
You shall see first the large and cheefe
Foundation Of your feast. fat beefe;
With supper stories, mutton, veale
And bacon which makes full the meale.
With several dishes standing by,
As here a custard. there a pie,
And here all tempting frumentie."
There are many interesting legends