Haymaking and Harvest

 Next came Haymaking, at a time before mowing machines appeared with their incessant monotonous rattle.  Instead we heard, from near and afar, the musical rink-a-tink of stone on steel as the mowers prepared to attack a fresh swath by sharpening their scythes.  Frequent refreshment was necessary which came from the tine wooden kegs then in general use, which were kept in cool spots carefully sheltered from the sun.  What endurance those men showed!  Usually a party of three would undertake to cut a field, being paid by the piece or job  In the blazing July sunshine, from early to late in the day this small procession kept up their steady march with little intermission, the best man leading, the others so spaced that at the boundary three swaths lay behind them.  The men took a great pride in their work, many were the tales of feats by themselves, or other more proficient exponents of their art in past years.  In the evening the mowers marched away to their homes a mile or two or more away, appearing next morning with energies unabated.  The first machine I saw was in 1872 after which the old style of mowing was gradually superseded.

When the hay was ready for making a spell of a few days in the field was regarded as a welcome change to many whose regular occupation had no connection with farm work.  I have seen carpenters and other artisans, and even tailors finding a congenial relaxation in handling fork and rake as a variation to indoor work.  The attractions may have been the picnic repasts in the open air, the plentiful supply of liquid refreshment added to a care-free day during the fine weather of opening summer.

Women, too, were also in great demand as haymakers, especially in ‘catchy’ weather when speeding-up was necessary.  A long break was made at mid-day when the whole company sat down to a protracted ‘lunch’ during which ‘jokes went round and careless chat’.

 I remember one such episode when a certain eccentric, local character was badgered unmercifully by the female contingent so that he raged and roared in vain as details of his past career, actual or imaginary were revealed to the wide circle of listeners.

The corn crop harvested in August and September was comparatively small in our district , so allowing of more leisurely treatment.  September was the month when lassies and lads made up their putting parties, journeying far afield to gather their stores for winter evenings enjoyment.  The favourite hunting grounds were Bonslea on the hill above Lurnworth and Cranborne Chase.  To reach the latter woods their way lay through iwerne, over the hill by Bower’s barn and on to Stubhampton where the ‘Chase’ commenced. 

The journey was made on foot, such a walk in those times being a mere pastime.  In the evening they returned in the same manner bearing their sacks with them.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Quaint Remedies

  Over a century ago there were cases of a malignant disease known as ‘king’s evil’. A remedy prescribed for this malady was the leg of a toad, cut from the living reptile, then sewn up in a thin muslin bag and hung round the sufferer’s neck, to be worn constantly next to the skin. Epileptic fits were supposed to be curable by the following ritual;- The patient collected a penny each from eleven different friends, a twelfth friend then gave a shilling for the eleven coins.   The silver coin was then beaten into a ring to be worn by the afflicted one.   I remember seeing a ring which had been so acquired, but no benefit resulted.
Read more

Trade with Newfoundland

  During the first half of the 19 th Century a considerable trade with Newfoundland was carried on in the town, a sub depot was housed in the premises now occupied by Messrs Barnett where, in the room which formed the office, I am told there may still be seen traces of the transactions of that busy time.   The chief depot was established at Poole between which seaport and Sturminster. there passed a steady stream of traffic.   (See mentions of the old ‘Road Wagon on Page 4). The exports from our town were warm clothing, boots, gloves and other necessaries for the men engaged in the arduous labours of the distant fishing fleet.   The imports consisted of large quantities of codfish, salted and dried, barrels of caplin, a small dried fish of a peculiar flavour and cranberries in small wooden kegs.   The latter formed a most useful fruit for winter use, they were very juicy and tender, much superior to the tough, thick-skinned variety which is now the only kind ...
Read more

The Railway

  In 1847 the old South Western line was extended via Wimborne to Dorchester.   Next from Hamworthy to Poole, the latter place being the terminus for some years during which time visitors to Bournemouth were conveyed from Poole in vans and waggonettes. About 1858 the old Somerset and Dorset line was laid from a junction at Wimborne up to Blandford where a station was built a mile below the town on the Spetisbury road.   The first train to reach Blandford was hailed by a public holiday with processions of schoolchildren etc. Finally the line was extended via Sturminster, Wincanton and Glastonbury to Burnham –on-Sea.   During the summers 1862-72 crowded excursions trains ran weekly from all stations between Blandford and Burnham.   Return fares 1s Children 6d for a distance of 50 miles each way.   This was the fare from Sturminster.   Much money was lost by local magnates who financed the railway, one landowner being so badly hit that he was compelle...
Read more