It's not my decision, but my preference? - Mow it, leave it in the sun to dry, bale it, load in a truck and store it in a big barn, without plastic covers.
And here's the version I want to paint...
UPDATE: What do I know...obviously nothing about farming. Thanks to Gwendolyn who provided a link in the comment section to Wikipedia and information about what's inside those plastic bags:
"For animals that eat silage, a Bale wrapper may be used to seal a round bale completely and trigger the fermentation process. It is a technique used as a money-saving process by producers who do not have access to a silo, and for producing silage that is transported to other locations. However, a silo is still a preferred method for making silage.[10] In very damp climates, it is a legitimate alternative to drying hay completely and when processed properly, the natural fermentation process prevents mold and rot. Round bale silage is also sometimes called "haylage," and is seen more commonly in Europe than in either the USA or Australia. However, hay stored in this fashion must remain completely sealed in plastic, as any holes or tears can stop the preservation properties of fermentation and lead to spoilage.[11]"
6 comments:
Just curious: do you have a farming background?
I guessed at a lot of possibilities for this hay, but I was wrong!
Then I looked it up on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hay). These plastic-wrapped bales are silage, and the plastic wrapping encourages the required fermentation.
The Wikipedia article is really interesting...
So use your reference photos and put the scene together the way you wish it were. That's one of the great advantages people who create their own images on paper have over cameras!
Gwendolyn,
You are so right about composing a painting however one wants. My reaction to the plastic bales I drive by every day was purely aesthetic. I'm sure farmers need every advantage to reduce their losses and stay in business. So thanks for the Wiki link. I'll add the silage information to my post, too.
Interesting--I never thought about it either, as a non-farmer, but I'm sure it's critical to them! I like the aesthetic version below, too!
Hmm, I would have had the same gut reaction, Sharon. Who knew?
Beautiful photos, with or without.
I had NO idea. Thanks for giving this clueless former farm girl a clue.
What would Monet have said about these awful plastic covered bales!
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