352 THE WHEAT CULTTJRIST. 



other way with a small circular saw. The fingers then 

 have square corners, which are dressed off by hand, or 

 machinery, which does the work very neatly and rap- 

 idly. . 



Bent fingers are made of very tough timber, first 

 sawed into tapering strips just large enough for four 

 fingers. These pieces are then steamed and bent, and 

 sawed into fingers the same as if they were of natural 

 crook. While the wood is still hot and on the form, or 

 clamp, boiled linseed oil is applied to the outside sur- 

 face, as long as the wood will absorb it. This is de- 

 signed to prevent the fingers from straightening out, 

 after the cradle, is finished. The great objection to 

 straight fingers is, most of the grain that is cut at one 

 clip, will be gathered and held by the fingers so far to- 

 ward the point of the scythe that a cradle will not work 

 well, unless it cuts short clips ; whereas, if the fingers 

 have a proper degree of curvature, the grain will slide 

 back toward the heel of the cradle, as it is cut, thus 

 enabling the cradler to cut a larger clip at once, and to 

 handle the grain with greater facility. Another thing 

 of primary importance in the form of cradle fingers is, 

 they should be more curved than the back of the scythe. 

 See remarks on pages 348 and 349. 



Raking and Binding Wheat. 



" The reaper binds the bearded ear, 

 And gathers in the golden year ; 



And where the sheaves are glancing, 

 The farmer's heart is dancing." 



In order to rake and bind grain satisfactorily, a man 

 must possess a good degree of skill and tact to make 

 every movement of his body and every motion of his 



