THE approach of HARVEST is justly looked upon with great interest by all classes of persons. The state of the weather, the condition of the crops, the abundance or scantiness of the produce, the prevalence or absence of blight, and other circumstances likely to affect the general prospects of the farmer, are common subjects of remark. Nor should it be otherwise. In the harvest we are all concerned, and in the farmer's prosperity

we all, in some degree, share. The sight of fruitful fields should, therefore, gladden the heart of each individual, as it does that of the cultivator himself; and the blessing of a bountiful harvest should raise in every breast a common feeling of gratitude to the Author of all good, who sends us "rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” (Acts xiv. 17.)

In the three months previous to harvest there has been more of actual beauty to please the eye, as there has been also greater melody to charm the ear. The loveliness of spring, "when wheat is green, and hawthorn buds appear," when all is fresh, dewy, and bright, and the hand of man has not yet swept away with scythe, or with sickle, the fair produce of the meadows and fields,—that loveliness is not to be equalled, far less surpassed by any of the glories of autumn. Sweetly does Bishop Heber describe a journey taken at this most beautiful of seasons.

"Oh! green was the corn as I rode on my way,

And bright were the dews on the blossoms of May,
And dark was the sycamore's shade to behold,
And the oak's tender leaf was of emerald and gold.

"The thrush from the holly, the lark from the cloud,
Their chorus of rapture sang jovial and loud;
From the soft vernal sky to the soft grassy ground,
There was beauty above me, beneath, and around.

"The mild southern breeze brought a shower from the hill, And yet though it left me all dripping and chill,

I felt a new pleasure as onward I sped,

To gaze where the rainbow gleam'd broad over head.

"Oh! such be life's journey, and such be our skill,
To lose in its blessings the sense of its ill;

Through sunshine and shower, may our progress be even,
And our tears add a charm to the prospects of Heaven!"

The beauties of spring have passed away, but the rich

DILIGENCE NEEDED IN HARVEST WORK.

161

and sober colouring of autumn, and the wide provision made for the wants of man and beast, inspire a calm and joyous feeling in every well-ordered mind. The most important of all field operations is now about to be commenced; for most of the previous labours of the season have been mere preparations for this, the great and general harvest. On the successful result of the harvest, the welfare of the whole country depends; and to the diligence and activity of the farmer and his labourers, very much of the success is due. Without this diligence and activity, united with sound judgment on the part of those who guide the operations of the harvest-field, it would be of little avail that the valleys were standing thick with corn, and that the various crops had arrived at a sound and healthful maturity. A little neglect at this critical period, a little want of judgment or of activity in securing the crop, may lead, in a variable climate like ours, to the most mischievous consequences. It is on account of the difficulties connected with harvest work, and the loss arising from bad weather, and other circumstances, that many attempts have been made to shorten the business of reaping by the introduction of machinery. But the reaping machine has never yet been found a perfect substitute for manual labour, nor has it been adopted to any extent. The irregularity of the soil, and the necessity there is for laying down the wheat in regular order, are great obstacles to the action of machinery. The only real method of shortening the processes of harvest is therefore found in the readiness and dexterity of the workpeople, and the zeal with which they set about their several tasks.

For two or three months previous to harvest the corn fields have been narrowly watched by the farmer, and all noxious weeds carefully removed. The advice of an old writer * is acted upon by all wise husbandmen.

* Tusser.

M

"In May, get a weed-hook, a crotch, and a glove,
And weed out such weeds as the corn does not love;
For weeding of winter corn now is the best,
But June is the better for weeding the rest.

"The May-weed doth burn, and the thistle doth fret,
The fitches pull down both rye and the wheat;
The brake and the cockle be noisome too much,
Yet like unto boodle no weed is there such.

"Slack never thy weeding, for dearth nor for cheap,
The corn shall reward it, ere ever ye reap;
And specially where ye do trust for to seed,
Let that be well used the better to speed."

WEEDS AMONG CORN.

Or, as it is also said by Graham,

"Now is the time, before the thistle blows,
While gule is in the flower, and charlock breathes
Its cloying scent around, the weeding task

To urge."

163

The weeds most disliked by the farmer are those which injure his sample of corn by mingling their seeds There are seldom more than two or three sorts

with it.

to be discovered in any one sample of corn, but these are too many, and need not be present where due caution is employed. The corn cockle is the principal It is in blossom when the wheat

weed infesting wheat.