Agriculture

"FARMERS, In want of Horse Rakes and Mowing Machines would get the celebrated Sharps Rake (no equal no sale) or the Toronto Mower by calling on the subscriber. JOHN F. CUNNINGHAM, Antigonish, July 12th, '82" [Aurora , 12 July 1882]

Supporting Evidence

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Item:HAY RAKE
Date: c. late 19th century
Dimensions: 73 cm (width of base), 1.82 m long

Comments:The long-handled hay rake was a standard piece of agricultural equipment into the 20th century. It was constructed primarily of wood, except for the single or double metal hoops that gave added reinforcement. The hay rake was often made by the farmer who carefully whittled the peg-like teeth by hand. This device was indispensable during the haying season, when it was used to rake the wild grasses that had been harvested with a sickle (scythe), spread in the sun and cured into hay. In Antigonish County, the farmers dried the straw in small bundles called "squabs" (sheafs), usually arranged twelve at a time into an "adag" (shock). Haying was a labour-intensive activity. Children were often pressed into service to rake the hay that tumbled from the hay wagon as it lumbered towards the barn. According to early local historian William D. Cameron, children learned to "make hay" at an early age. Throughout the 19th century, local farmers relied almost totally on homemade farm tools, seldom purchasing implements, except perhaps the "Griffin scythe". The increased mechanization of farming, most notably the introduction of the horse-drawn mower around 1900, substantially transformed farm life, especially haying traditions.

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