Fall 2005

Harvest Time

John G. Sheret supplied the editorial below which appeared in the August 2, 1900, issue of the Honeoye Falls Times. 1900 was a particularly bad weather year for local farmers; considering the conditions that farmers have encountered in 2005, John suggested that it be republished as a tribute to our friends and neigbors who continue to work the land.

Honeoye Falls Times, August 2, 1900

The farmers are now in the midst of their busy season. The wheat crop is ready and the barley and oat crop will quickly follow the housing of the wheat. No class of men put in longer hours than the farmers, and no class meets with more frequent and trying disappointments in their calculations. In April and May, perhaps the outlook is cheering beyond words and the farmer has every reason to believe that he can count on good crops and have plenty of money.

He makes his calculatiions to pay off a little indebtedness here and a little indebtedness elsewhere; to purchase new agricultural tools; to buy some needed furniture for the house; and perhaps something for wife and child; and he grows happy over the contemplation.

But before the end of June all this may change. The crop may be blighted by drought or by undue heat; by sudden storms accompanied by cyclonic winds; or by innumerable insects that appear almost in a night.

But as a class the farmers are courageous and, while the disappointment comes to them more frequently than to other toilers, they never give up. They harvest the crop, such as it is, and then proceed with fall plowing and sowing; all the time hoping for better luck next year.

© 2005, John G. Sheret

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