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, Haying

Although the haying season was hot, long and strenuous, it was softened considerably in knowing that the school year was now over and the full bloom of summer was upon us. In its own way, haymaking signalled a great freedom of spirit. -

Our hay mower was of Frost and Wood manufacture of which Dad was very proud. It was a good and faithful machine, five-foot cut, rarely broke down and seemed ready to tackle any kind of hay. The first round of the mower kept a safe distance, five or six feet, from fences, bushes or awkward headlands. When the field was finished, that final swath was then cut, but only after a careful search for stones, wires or other debris that might cause damage to the cutter.

Not any youngster got to drive the team in the mower. One had to display a certain wisdom of age before taking over such seats of power. After attaining the necessary wisdom and per- mission to drive, I found the hay mower a fascinating machine with its deep iron seat, metal tool box rattling at one’s feet, sturdy, well-notched wheels and particularly the cutting bar with the various ways of manipulating it by foot press or hand lever. The noise and vibrations of the cutting process, as well as the sweet odor of the new hay and clover, made the whole procedure quite a delightful experience. If one took pride in cutting, he would be careful not to leave any sprigs of standing hay. To discover narrow ridges of uncut hay after the raking was done would be clear evidence of sloppiness on the part of the driver.