HOME

TRAVEL LOG

FINE ARTS PHOTOS

LINKS

PURCHASE

MEET US

Haystacks don't stand still forever

Summertime at the beginning of the 21st Century:

Taking down a haystack isn't as simple as it sounds.

As they go they evaluate the freshness of the hay from its color.

The corners have to be carefully folded to sustain all the hay. Otherwise it'd all just fall on the ground like feathers falling out of a pillow.

Notice at the base of the haystack: there's wood underneath.

This allows the hay near the ground to dry, keeping it from rotting.

  A shepherd watches the work while he watches his sheep.

Once the stack is transferred, they shave it so none will fall off on the road.

Finally the shepherd can pitch in, throwing up the sticks they need for the next step. Petru senior places them crossways along the top of the hay.

They lay a thick beam they brought with them across the smaller sticks.

First they chain it to the front of the cart.

Then the three men use chain pulleys and six foot lever logs to cinch the beam down onto the hay, holding it into place.

In a nearby apple tree they carefully store those sticks
that kept the bottom hay from rotting.

All the hay is raked up -- not a crumb is left on the ground.

They pull up the center pole to store out of the weather's harm.

Then the hay stack moves like a giant block of grass jelly down hills and rutted roads to their home.

Back to Farming Page

Unloading the haystack at home.