74 THE BOOK OF WHEAT 



labors go with it. Before the advent of modern machinery, 

 harvesting was the most burdensome and exacting operation 

 on the farm. It could not be delayed. The completion of the 

 harvest gave relief from this season of toil and anxiety, and 

 replenished bountifully the stores of grain which had become 

 scant. Secure in this abundance and free from the arduous 

 labors, the early husbandmen enjoyed a time of unusual license 

 during which they dispelled their cares with rounds of uproar- 

 ious jollification. During these general rejoicings practically 

 all nations celebrated with games and rustic fetes the final in- 

 gathering of the sheaves. In England the close of the season 

 was marked with the " Harvest Home." A procession led by 

 a pipe and tabor marked the bringing home of the last sheaves 

 in the hock-cart. The load was surmounted by a sheaf shaped 

 and dressed to represent the goddess Ceres, or by pretty girls 

 of the reaping band in fantastic attire. The reapers danced 

 about the procession, shouting: 



Harvest-home, harvest-home, 



We have plowed, we have sowed, 



We have reaped, we have mowed, 



We have brought home every load, 



Hip, hip, hip, harvest-home, etc. 



In France and western Germany was found the Harvest May, 

 bouquet de la moisson. A green sapling or branch was selected 

 at harvest time and adorned with flowers, ornaments, and dainty 

 eatables. It was often set up in the field that was being 

 reaped. When the harvest was made, it was brought home on 

 the last sheaf or load. The farmer received it with a solemn 

 welcome and attached *t to some conspicuous spot on the barn 

 or house, where it remained until replaced by its successor. 

 These harvest festivals of modern Europe are very similar to 

 those of ancient Greece, from which they have descended. 

 There a branch of olive or laurel was used for the eiresione, 

 or harvest bush, and it was carried to the temple of Apollo. 



The great harvest festival of Rome was the Saturnalia, held 

 late in December at the end of the vintage and harvesting. All 

 classes, even the slaves, devoted themselves to feasting and 

 mirth. Probably one reason why our Christmas was placed at 

 the end of December was that it might supplant the Saturnalia 

 and other heathen festivals. While Christmas is a festive oc- 



