cuts it down with the scythe, or with a machine called a mower, which is drawn by horses. In the picture at the beginning of this lesson, a man may be seen cutting the grass with a mower, and others cutting it with the scythe.

2. When the grass has been dried in the sun, it is called hay. The farmer rakes this fresh hay into winrows, sometimes with a hand-rake, but now

the barn, and piled away on the hay-mow; or it is placed in the open field, in large heaps called haystacks. The hay is the food, or fodder, which is given to the cattle, and horses, and sheep, in the winter season, when they can no longer find any green grass in the fields.

4. The haying season is a busy time for the farmer. He knows he must "make hay while the sun shines." When the grass has been cut down, and has become nearly dry, the hay will be much injured if it get wet. So the farmer must watch the clouds; and if they threaten rain, he must hasten to get the hay into the barn.

5. Here is a picture of getting in the hay. Can you describe it'? Do you see how dark it is in the far west'? Does it look like a storm? Perhaps it is a hail-storm, with thunder and lightning. Did you ever see a hail-storm in haying-time, or in the time of harvest?

6. How quickly the hay is pitched on the wagon, or cart, by the strong arms of the farmer and his men'! And then away go the teams to the barn as fast as they can be driven. Just as the farmer gets his last load into the barn, perhaps a loud and near clap of thunder startles him, and down pours the rain in torrents.

7. Now it may rain-rain-rain; but the farmer cares not. Now he likes to see it rain. How green it makes the pastures, after the long drouth'! And the hay stubble in the meadows begins to look

fresh again! The "rain upon the roof" is now a pleasant sound to the farmer. It would not be quite so pleasant if his hay were in the field.

a FRE'-QUENT-LY, often.
b MÄR'-GIN, side of the page.
THREAT-EN, indicate; foreshow.

d HAS'-TEN, hurry.

START'LE, alarm suddenly.
DROUTH, dryness; want of rain.

[LESSON LVI. The story of the farmer's life is here continued, from LESSON LII. The methods of cutting the grass, and of raking up the hay, are described, and illustrated. A thunder-storm in haying-time is described, and its effects shown in the hurrying of the farmer and his men to secure the hay. The effect of the rain upon the dry pastures, etc.]

1. After haying, comes the harvest', or gathering in of the wheat', and the rye', the barley', the oats', and the peas', and some other crops. Here is a picture of a harvest scene.

2. The wheat-harvest is a busy, hurrying time. It is the great event of the year for the farmer in some parts of our Northern States. The farmer must have all his workmen engaged in season, for the harvest must not be delayed.b

3. Do you know when the wheat must be gathered? The wheat must be cut down when the stalk or straw turns yellow. Then the kernel, or grain', which before was milky, and light', becomes hard and heavy'; and the head of the wheat, which before stood erect', bends downward with its own weight. Then it is time to begin the harvest.

4. A man cuts the wheat with a sickle', or with a farming implement called a cradle, or it is cut by a machine called a reaper', which is drawn by horses. These different ways of cutting grain are shown in the picture at the head of the lesson.

5. After the wheat has been cut down, it is bound in sheaves or bundles, which are put up in bunches of a dozen or more, called shocks, or stooks. The bundles then remain in the field until the straw has become thoroughly dried, when they are carried to the barn.

6. Rye, and barley, and oats, are cut and gathered in a similar manner, except that the barley is often mown, like grass, and is not then bound in bundles. Can you tell what use is made of wheat, and rye, and barley, and oats'?

a CROPS, farming produce.
b DE-LAY'ED, put off; deferred.

TURNS, is becoming.

E-RECT', not leaning; upright.

[LESSON LVII. Harvest-time is here described, and illustrated by a view of the laborers in the harvest-field. The wheat harvest. When the wheat must be gathered. The different methods of cutting the grain, as shown in the picture. How the wheat is secured. Rye, barley, oats, etc.]

LESSON LVIII.

GIVE TO THE POOR.

1. Though but a trifle, something give
To help the poor along:

'Tis not how much', it is the will
That makes the virtue strong.

2. You have but little'? Never say
""Tis of no use to give:"
A penny, if you give to-day,
May make the dying live.

3. It is the motive, not the gold,
Upon the water cast,

That will return a hundred fold,b
To cheer and bless at last.

4. Then give a trifle cheerfully
From out thy little store,
And it will all return to thee
When thou wilt need it more.

a Mo'-TIVE, intention.

b FÖLD, times.

[LESSON LVIII. is a plea for charity to the poor. In what the virtue of giving consists. The plea that we have but little, and that, therefore, it is of "no use to give," answered. What is the meaning of the third verse? Where, in the Bible, may the following verse be found? "Cast thy bread upon the waters; for thou shalt find it after many days." How will what we give return to us?]

LESSON LIX.

WHO WAS THE GENTLEMAN?

1. And do you think you are a gentleman'? Why? Is it because you carry a little dandy cane', smoke cigars', and wear your hat on one side of your head'? Is that the way to be a gentle