MEMORIES OF THE 



begin; and, as it lined up on the old noon-mark, called us 

 to dinner; and, with its falling behind Job Lamson's hill, gave 

 us permission to quit for the day. Organizations for the pur- 

 pose of regulating or preventing work had not been heard of ; 

 industry and close application to business were highly com- 

 mended and popular, and good standing in Lorraine society did 

 not then require going to Saratoga, the Islands or the seashore 

 for vacation. The circus at Adams and the Ellisburgh fair at 

 Belleville were considered the proper thing, and about enough 

 in the line of summer rest and recreation. 



The various kinds of work crowded into these midsummer 

 days were enjoyed, at least as varying the monotony of regular 

 season's work. We did not know that we needed or ought to 

 have a vacation, and probably were as happy and got along 

 quite as well as those who live in these more rapid times, who, 

 hoping to make themselves popular, are obliged to borrow 

 money each summer with which to hire high-priced board shan- 

 ties, called '' cottages," and defray other expenses at the summer 



resorts. 



^ ^ ^ 



HAYING 



Haying was our most important harvest, and the crop was 

 of more value than any other that we raised. From the dairy 

 came the principal income, and upon the amount and condition 

 of the hay crop its success depended. The condition of the 

 meadows was anxiously watched from the time the snow went 

 off until haying time. The grass was liable to damage from the 

 freezing, thawing and heaving of the clay soil, particularly when 

 the snow was light or where it blew off the meadows. It was 

 also injured by drought or excessive wet. 



72 



