LOADING HAY. 149 



Much more picturesque is the appearance of our hay- 

 field, where, 



" As they rake the green appearing mound, 

 And drive the dusky wave along the mead, 

 The russet hay-cock rises thick behind, 

 In order gay." 



At last the hay is fit to be carried, and busily are all 

 hands engaged in loading and conveying it to the rick- 

 yard. 



" Soon the ponderous wain 

 Moves slowly onward with its fragrant load." 



Pleasant is the sight and delightful the scent, as the 

 well-laden wagon appears at intervals, passing slowly 

 through the lane, rustling among the over-arching 



LOADING HAY. 



boughs, and leaving traces of its progress on the foli- 

 age. Or, perhaps, the hay is to be stacked in the field, 

 and the journey to its place of destination is therefore a 

 very short one. But wherever the rick is formed it 

 requires the labour of experienced hands to make it 

 properly. 



