THE HAY-FIELD A LIVELY SCENE. 147 



hay-makers to each mower, including tedders, loaders, 

 pitchers, and stackei-s. Thus a considerable number of 

 persons are engaged in the same field, and their master 

 finds it necessary to be on the alert, directing them, and 

 pointing out the manner in which each person may 

 pursue his labour to the greatest advantage. Without 

 this personal superintendence, half the hay- makers will 

 be idling and wasting their time, and little will be done 

 towards securing the crop. But where due diligence is 

 employed, the hay-field presents a lively and stirring 

 scene. 



" Here the blithe hamlet's gathered throng, 

 With toothed rake and forked prong, 

 Maidens and boys in order due, 

 The mowers' ridgy track pursue ; 

 Turn with just care the tedded hay, 

 Alternate, to the mellowing ray ; 

 Or, loosely o'er the sunny mead, 

 The scattered rows promiscuous spread ; 

 Or what may fill the rounded lap 

 In smaller heaps collected wrap ; 

 Or in more broad and loftier piles 

 Build the rich produce ; while with smiles, 

 At hand the joyous fanner eyes, 

 Safe from the assault of lowering skies, 

 O'er the thronged field to stature grown, 

 Complete the haycock's tawny cone." 



It is the frequent reward of this life and activity that 

 the hay-crop is secured in fine order, and is consequently 

 fitter for the nourishment of cattle, and more profitable 

 to the farmer. It is, on the other hand, the punish- 

 ment of the lazy and negligent, that much of the hay is 

 wasted or impoverished, by being drenched with rain, or 

 suffered to lie too long in the scorching heat of the sun. 

 There can be no doubt that the hay loses in value by 

 being long in the field, yet some persons seem strangely 

 careless of this fact. In Ireland, especially, we are in- 

 formed that the custom prevails of making the hay into 

 very large heaps, called tramp-cocks, or lap-cocks, and 

 letting these stand on the ground, in many instances, 

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