356 THE WHEAT CTJLTURIST. 



to make 3,000 sheaves be bound into 4,000 sheaves, it 

 will cost nearly one-quarter more to handle it when 

 securing the crop, either in stacks or in barns. 



How to Rake Gavels. 



Beginners — whether boys or men — should be instruct- 

 ed how to rake gavels neatly, expeditiously, and by ex- 

 erting the least strength. There is an awkward and 

 laborious way to rake gavels ; and there is a neat and 

 easy way of raking. The man who practises the for- 

 mer, will work hard all day and perform but little ; 

 while the latter will move along with amazing ease and 

 rapidity, and perform his task in the most satisfactory 

 manner. 



Two points should be kept in mind, one of which is 

 to keep the butts even, and the other, to keep the gavel 

 from running out much longer than the straw. In or- 

 der to rake a gavel easily, keep the rake-handle nearly 

 straight up and down, and move the leg that is against 

 the butts, along with the gavel. This will keep the butts 

 even, and the gavel of a uniform length. But, if a man 

 does not keep one, or both legs against the butts of the 

 straw, the gavel will be much longer than the straw ; 

 and the sheaves will be awkward things to stook, as they 

 will not stand erect without help. 



AVhen making gavels of grain that is cut by a reaper, 

 if the straw be of a uniform length and weight, it will 

 not be difficult to gauge the size of the gavels, as a little 

 observation and experience will enable an expert work- 

 man to make them all of a uniform size. But, if half 

 the gavels be made too large, and the remainder too 

 small, the labor of binding will be greatly increased. 



