Latter-math

'Aftermath' has been co-opted, and I think slightly distorted in its meaning, into everyday vocabulary. In general conversation it has come to mean the outcome or consequence of some prior, often cataclysmic, event. I think 'lattermath' was originally a (possibly local or colloquial) synonym, meaning 'second harvest' - normally a second harvest of grass - in the same year, following re-growth after the 'first cut'. Lattermath has stayed true to its original meaning 

Traditional farming practice was to allow non-grazing grass to grow and flower until June (along with many grassland weeds, aka 'wild flowers'), then cut it for hay. The grass would then have a post-flowering lull, before renewed growth in July and August and a lattermath cut in September. Ironically, lattermath hay was often higher nutritional quality than the coarse, stemmy main crop, and reserved for young animals or those recovering from illness. Modern practice cuts earlier and more frequently, suppressing flowering of grass (and 'weeds'), producing higher quality overall and a higher annual yield. The lovely word 'lattermath' is less commonly applied

I'm mis-applying it here, really. These plums and gages are not regrowth, but a second pick from the same trees, reflecting the uneven ripening of the heritage varieties in the orchard. I had not realised quite how many were left on the tree, so the job took longer and yielded more than we anticipated. Our plum trees have had their best year for a long time, coupled with low wastage in the absence of plum moth and wasps

So that creates another job - an aftermath. Never mind, the autumn colours are a pleasure in their own right

Extra - last night's (almost) harvest moon