We must be part of the same generation (in agricultural terms!) – I too get a sudden rush of nostalgia when I see the rectangular bales, but I think that’s all it is – nostalgia. If the circular had been the original I’m sure we’d all be bemoaning the loss of its natural curves.
How practices have changed in my life time: from hand stacked stooks, to rectangular bales (so easy to handle) to round bales needing machinery to locate them . Such satisfaction from tossing the (rectangular) bales from the trailer to the ground!!!
I saw a gooseneck trailer hauling square bales just this week. We live in marshmallow land for the most part, but these square bales evoke such wonderful, late-summer days.
You are right. I use to load some (we called it throwing them) at my uncle’s farm when I was a teenager. They’re not light. Get you in shape, I’ll tell you that. Nice to see them again. “Some genius is always changing things.”. The new system is better, of course, but I still wish we had the old style.
True, true. Did you drink “switchel” the haymakers drink? Water, vinegar and honey or molasses. The original ‘Gatorade’. It rebalances electrolytes. I use it on hot summer days when I’m gardening.
wow…that brings back memories…years ago my Mom and I raked up hay into windrows before the neighbor came with his machine to make our
hay into neat little rectangles like these in your photo. I can still see, smell, taste, feel the hay dust as it engulfs me. 🙂 Thanks for the memories 🙂
This makes me smile. I agree, the old fashioned bales are so much more attractive 🙂
We must be part of the same generation (in agricultural terms!) – I too get a sudden rush of nostalgia when I see the rectangular bales, but I think that’s all it is – nostalgia. If the circular had been the original I’m sure we’d all be bemoaning the loss of its natural curves.
Your’e right. Seems one of the few things we haven’t improved upon is sliced bread. 🙂
How practices have changed in my life time: from hand stacked stooks, to rectangular bales (so easy to handle) to round bales needing machinery to locate them . Such satisfaction from tossing the (rectangular) bales from the trailer to the ground!!!
“stooks” I haven’t heard that term! Thanks Maureen. Wow, so many people have memories of bales!
Wonderful view of the hay bales.
Thanks Lee
wonderful capture
thanks!
I saw a gooseneck trailer hauling square bales just this week. We live in marshmallow land for the most part, but these square bales evoke such wonderful, late-summer days.
You are right. I use to load some (we called it throwing them) at my uncle’s farm when I was a teenager. They’re not light. Get you in shape, I’ll tell you that. Nice to see them again. “Some genius is always changing things.”. The new system is better, of course, but I still wish we had the old style.
True, true. Did you drink “switchel” the haymakers drink? Water, vinegar and honey or molasses. The original ‘Gatorade’. It rebalances electrolytes. I use it on hot summer days when I’m gardening.
They look surprisingly modern too–an artist’s installation–but also prehistoric, a hayhenge: time compressed, “beauty ever ancient, ever new.”
Albert – always an interesting and thought provoking take – thanks!!
wow…that brings back memories…years ago my Mom and I raked up hay into windrows before the neighbor came with his machine to make our
hay into neat little rectangles like these in your photo. I can still see, smell, taste, feel the hay dust as it engulfs me. 🙂 Thanks for the memories 🙂
Thanks for sharing yours!
Seedbud, I love pictures of bales of hay. Good post!
Thanks
No prob 😀
Great!!
And certainly easier to move!
Oh, I can smell the hay at my grandparents. Fond memories of bales like these.
🙂
Very beautiful photo.
Yes!