260 PHASES OF FARM LIFE. 



is less imperative ; coopers, blacksmiths, and laborers 

 of various kinds drop their tools, and take down their 

 scythes and go in quest of a job in haying. Every 

 man is expected to pitch his endeavors in a little 

 higher key than at any other kind of work. The 

 wages are extra, and the work must correspond. The 

 men are in the meadow by half-past four, or five, in 

 the morning and mow an hour or two before break- 

 fast. A good mower is proud of his skill. He does 

 not " lop in," and his " pointing out " is perfect, and 

 you can hardly see the ribs of his swath. He stands 

 up to his grass and strikes level and sure. He will 

 turn a double down through the stoutest grass, and 

 when the hay is raked away you will not find a spear 

 left standing. The Americans are or were the 

 best mowers. A foreigner could never quite give the 

 masterly touch. The hayfield has its code. One 

 man must not take another's swath unless he expects 

 to be crowded. Each expects to take his turn lead- 

 ing the band. The scythe may be so whet as to ring 

 out a saucy challenge to the rest. It is not good 

 manners to mow up too close to your neighbor, unless 

 you are trying to keep out of the way of the man be- 

 hind you. Many a race has been brought on by some 

 one being a little indiscreet in this respect. Two men 

 may mow all day together under the impression that 

 each is trying to put the other through. The one that 

 leads strikes out briskly, and the other, not to be out- 

 done, follows close. Thus the blood of each is soon 

 up ; a little heat begets more heat, and it is fairly a 



