Recently I passed through the Amish Community in Ethridge, Tennessee, and it was oat harvesting time. Well, I think it was oats. It was lunchtime and no one was out working in the fields. This is the machine they use. I have no idea how it works or how they use it. Feel free to post any comments if anyone has any information. I just enjoyed the scenery.
As far as I know, this machine is an old-fashioned reaper-binder.
ReplyDeleteIt cuts the crop and ties the stems into bundles.
Christel
Thank you Christel! I googled it and you are right, as always.
DeleteBeautiful pictures! There's something about a well maintained farm that strikes a cord....I can't help but think we were meant to work the earth.....
ReplyDeleteI agree. I am happiest when I am sitting in the middle of my flowers pulling weeds. Pulling weeds in the vegetable garden is WORK, my flowers are fun.
DeleteI love the pictures. I'm glad someone else knew what the machine was. To me it doesn't look like it would do anything much at all, but I know it does. It's amazing to me what the Amish can do without a tractor! And, it all looks so picturesque.
ReplyDeleteI also, have been spending quite a bit of time in the yard and garden, in-between other activities. There is much to be done. I do love it out there during times of the day when it's not too hot. It does seem like the weeds are very prolific this year, as always. I am especially fighting the purslane in the garden. The entire garden was covered with it last summer when we moved in, and every plant seems to have dropped a million or so seeds. Every time we till, or hoe--then water--another large batch of them comes up. If you cut a plant into pieces with your hoe--they all take root. Hmmmm. I'll keep hoeing!
I have heard purslane is edible? They sell seeds for it in catalogs, but come to think of it, they also sell dandelion seeds. So, have you thought about eating it?
DeleteSomeone else told me that they have seen it for sale at farmer's markets, and it is used in juice. I don't know if I like it or not--I actually haven't tried it, but I do know I want the garden space for the veggies I know I like, so, the purslane has to go. If I get brave one day, there will be some for me to try--I'll just have to shut my eyes for 2 minutes, and it will appear:)
DeleteThey sell everything green at farmer's markets: that doesn't mean it is worth eating. They also put EVERYTHING in juice: that does not mean it is good either. I vote YOU taste it and do a post about it. I will be glad to read it.
Delete...Hi Jeannie, thanks for stopping by. In Rochester, New York's Mount Hope Cemetery James Fraser Gordon (1844-1933), the inventor of the reaper-binder, is buried. My Amish friends used reaper-binders like this. The oats harvest is still a bit off up here, but I hope to see the action soon. I hope that you will stop back again.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your website "Tom The Backroads Traveller."
DeleteI start looking at pictures and lose track of time.
http://backroadstraveller.blogspot.com/
The next time you are driving through Rochester, stop by and take a picture of James Gordon's tombstone. I would love to see it!
Really wonderful photos. I just loved seeing these oat bales, and the countryside!
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting drive with the old fashioned way of doing things! I like the photos you took.
ReplyDeleteI love visiting Amish country. Very beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing them with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann