Harvest

Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. The term originates from the Old English word hærfest, which means "autumn". It also has a broader meaning that encompasses the action of reaping, gathering, and storing grain and other grown products during the autumn, and also the grain and other grown products themselves.

Etymology

The word "harvest" comes from the Old English hærfest, meaning "autumn" (literally "harvest-time"), "period of gathering crops". The English word "harvest" is from Proto-Germanic *harbitas, an effective formation of PIE *kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest" (source also of Sanskrit krpana- "sword," krpani "shears;" Greek karpos "fruit," karpizomai "make harvest of;" Latin carpere "to cut, divide, pluck;" Lithuanian kirpti "to cut;" Middle Irish cerbaim "cut").

Process

Harvesting in general is the process of gathering the mature crop from the fields. The exact process can vary from one crop to another, but generally includes steps such as cutting, threshing, cleaning, and hauling. These can be performed in one step or a series of steps, depending on the crop and the equipment available.

Related terms

• Threshing: The process of separating grains or seeds from the straw; this is done after the harvest.
• Winnowing: This is the process of removing the chaff from the grains.
• Reaping: This is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper.
• Crop rotation: This is the practice of growing a series of different types of crops in the same area in sequential seasons.

See also

• Agriculture
• Farming
• Horticulture

References

Harvest Resources
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