360 THE WHEAT CTJLTURIST. 



band beneath the palm. By this means the tender skir 

 on the back of the fingers and hand, will be protected 

 •from the sharp stubble. 



There are in common use not less than three different 

 modes of binding. One is, passing the right-hand end 

 over the thumb, with a double twist and tuck; the 

 next is, passing it under the wrist, with a double twist 

 and tuck ; and the third is, passing it beneath the left 

 hand, making a nip about the left-hand end of the band, 

 and a tuck beneath it, or, in common parlance, " a nip and 

 tuck." Sometimes binding over the thumb is perform- 

 ed with a single twist and tuck. But, when bound 

 in this manner, unless the bands are drawn very tightly, 

 sheaves are liable to unbind. 



Every laborer should learn to bind sheaves over the 

 thumb, as he will be able to bind a larger number of 

 sheaves in an hour than if he binds under the wrist. 

 When binding a sheaf over the thumb, put one knee on 

 the gavel and draw the band as tightly as practicable, 

 and hold both ends with one hand, and with the forefin- 

 ger of the same hand grasping the right-hand end of the 

 band. Now, while the left hand holds both ends of the 

 band, whirl the right-hand end of the band around the 

 other end with the right hand, giving them a twist, or 

 two twists, which is better ; and tuck the twisted end 

 under the band. 



The second mode of binding is done with the left knee 

 on the sheaf; the right-hand end of the band is carried 

 under the wrist of the left hand, and held by letting the 

 wrist drop upon it, until the two ends are twisted togeth- 

 er, and tucked under. Sheaves- are bound in the " nip 

 and tuck " style by passing the end of the band in the 

 right hand under the left hand, then holding it with the 



