Soldiers who were part of the guard at Louisbourg often worked on their days off for an officer or a civilian. The man seen here would have worked for the town major, since he is cutting grass on the glacis, the slope in front of the fortifications. Military regulations specified that two-thirds of the grass from the glacis belonged to the major, while his assistant received one-third. This privilege must have been especially prized at Louisbourg where it was difficult to find sufficient hay to feed livestock. Each of the top military authorities in a place de guerre was entitled to similar bonuses in reward for his services.
The scythe being used by this soldier was the only tool available for cutting grass. In the countryside, entire fields of hay were cut in this manner.
