DILIGENCE NEEDED IN HAKVEST WORK. 161 



The beauties of spring have passed away, but the rich 

 and sober colouring of autumn, and the wide provision 

 made for the wants of man and beast, inspire a calm 

 and joyous feeling in every "well-ordered mind. The 

 most important of all field operations is now about to be 

 commenced ; for most of the previous labours of the 

 season have been mere preparations for this, the great 

 and general harvest. On the successful result of the 

 harvest, the welfare of the whole country depends ; and 

 to the diligence and activity of the farmer and his 

 labourers, very much of the success is due. Without 

 this diligence and activity, united with sound judgment 

 on the part of those who guide the operations of the 

 harvest-field, it would be of little avail that the valleys 

 were standing thick with corn, and that the various 

 crops had arrived at a sound and healthful maturity. 

 A little neglect at this critical period, a little want of 

 judgment or of activity in securing the crop, may lead, 

 in a variable climate like ours, to the most mischievous 

 consequences. It is on account of the difficulties con- 

 nected with harvest work, and the loss arising from bad 

 weather, and other circumstances, that many attempts 

 have been made to shorten the business of reaping by 

 the introduction of machinery. But the reaping machine 

 has not yet been found a perfect substitute for manual 

 labour, nor has it been adopted to any considerable extent. 

 The irregularity of the soil, and the necessity there is 

 for laying down the wheat in regular order, are great 

 obstacles to the action of machineiy. The processes 

 of harvest may be shortened, however, by the readiness 

 and dexterity of the work-people, and the zeal with 

 which they set about their several tasks. 



For two or three months previous to harvest the corn 

 fields have been narrowly watched by the farmer, and 

 all noxious weeds carefully removed. The advice of an 

 old writer* is acted upon by all wise husbandmen. 



