It's hay time in Tennessee. This time last year no one knew what was in store for the farmers. Hay time last year was not as fun or fruitful because of the drought and late freeze. There was even talk of the State aiding farmers in shipping in outside hay. Fortunately that plan did not come to fruition, though I was sympathetic to the cause I did not think this was a good idea.
Mr. C. did not mind me watching him with the digital camera and even waved. I guess he was saying, "Hay there!" He and his helper were pretty hot in the sun and quite busy. I truly felt for them while I mowed my lawn-in the shade. I thought, shade and hay do not mix. Sun and humans don't get along too well either, but someone has to cut that hay for the cows.
The video shows Mr. C. coming up the hill and making those neat piles of hay disappear behind his tractor. When the tractor gets full, he stops, shifts a few knobs, and out comes the load. It works almost like a chicken walking along, stopping, laying a egg and moving on. Just like that. Kind of funny to watch, and I always stop to watch and say hello. From what I can see this process is a three step process. First you cut, then you use a machine (maybe a harrower-does anyone know what this contraption that pulls the hay is called?) to pull the hay into piles, then the roller comes along and deposits the huge round bales. Mr. C. will leave the hay in the field for a while, then consolidate it all. Sure looks nice now that it is cut, and smells heavenly.
in the garden....
