The Washington herald., 1910-02-14
HARVEST CUSTOMS.
Quaint Ceremonies in England when
the Grain Is Gnrnered.

In many places there are curious and
quaint customs connected with thu gath
ering in OF harvest. They all bear a GER
tain resemblance 10 each other. but have
diffcreat designations, says the London
ANSWERS.
When the last shock Of corn on the
farm has been cut in Devoushire a cry is
heard from one Of the roapers:
I've gotten it,
What hast tina gotten?" shout the
others.
I've gotten the neck yeIls the first.
As the reaping has been rapidly near
ing its completion. the oldest laborer goes
around the field picking the best ears OF
corn he sees in each sheaf. These he ties
together and intriCately plaits into a
sort of broom. topped with the ears.
This IS called the neck" or "knack. "
and when the cutting OF the last corn is
heTalded with the shout. I've gotten it,
the reapers gather together and stand
In a circle around the man holding the
''necd. He stoops TO the stubble with IL,
and the ring of reapers. holding their hats
In both hands. likewise bend 10 the
ground Rising upright, and stretching
their arms and hats above their heads
they slowly chant in harmony THE neck"
three times. Then they burst into tri-
umphant shouts. I'VE have 'un. We
have 'un," Round goes the cider pitcher.
and with acclamations the plated neck
of corn is escorted 10 the farmhouse.
There 1t is delivered 10 the farmer. with
the chorus: a neck, a neck, a neck
Well cut, well bound well shocked The
little bundle OF corn is hung from the
kitchen ceiling. and remains there until
displaced by the neck Of the next har-
vest. To lose or part with this neck IS
to invite misfortune and disaster
In Cornwall the last sheaf of corn is
also called the neck" and is decorated
gayly with blue ribbons.
In Yorkshire, where the clergyman is
still often called upon TO cut the first
corn of the harvest, the last sheaf is
simply called the kern" Its fall before
the sickle is proclaimed by shouts Of
We've gotten it," And the reapers escort
the kern home. It is dressed in a white
frock, with colored ribbons and crowned
with wheat ears. At the kern sumner
which follows the kern baby is enthroned
III ttlS Dcii II anu SAllIbStu 10 preside over
the feast The well-kuown harvest sun
per comes later. to mark the end of the
gathering in, and it is called the mel
supper
The really interesting customs are those
which attend the cutting Of the Iasf sheaf
1t symbolizes the corn god; and, though
the original meaning has been forgotten.
it is celebrated in various parts of the
country.
In Devon it is plated corn broom
called the neck" in Yorkshire and
Northumberland a bulky female effigy. or
harvest queen" In Scotland it becomes
a maiden, and is cut by the youngest
girl on the harvest field. It's head is
formed of cat ears; big blue bow decks
its neck, and its skirt is made of paper.
This corn doll is placed over the fireplace
in the farm kitchen and sacredly pre-
served until Christmas Day. when its
grains are given 10 the cattle.
In some parts of Kent the last sheaf
is built up into the image of a girl and
clothed with a dress cap, ruffles. sc, of
paper. 1t is triumphantly escorted home
in wagon. and entities the harvesters
TO supper at the farmers expense.