Hints for the approaching Harvest. 57 
P. S.—Mr. Wiixram Smite, after the considerable interrup- 
tion to the publication of his series of County Geological Maps, 
which has originated in the unhandsome treatment received, in the 
quarter from whence he should have expected effective patronage, 
has completed his Map of Yorkshire, in four sheets, and the same 
is now in course of delivery by Cary of St. James’s street: this 
Map, from embracing almost the whole series of the British 
Strata, and from the ainple details which it contains, cannot fail 
of being acceptable to Land and Mineral Owners, and to al! those 
anxious to become acquainted with the structure of the very in- 
teresting and valuable part of our Island which it embraces. 
XII. Hints for the approaching Harvest. 
A RESIDENCE of two years in Switzerland, and particular atten- 
tion directed to the rural ceconomy of the country, amongst 
other things brought me acquainted with a method of harvesting 
which to me was quite new. Since my return home I have 
made many inquiries without having learned that a similar me- 
thod was ever practised in England, though it is by no means 
improbable that it may already be known, either in local custom 
of old date, or from having been introduced by travellers whe 
had equal opportunities with myself of observing what passed 
before their eyes. I am not aware, however, that any written 
deseription of this method has already appeared: and it is under 
a persuasion of its great utility that I now endeavour to give*it 
every possible publicity. 
In harvesting, two important matters present themselves to 
the consideration of the farmer :—expense of labour, and time. 
A saving in labour, if it protracts the time, is rarely beneficial, 
as it exposes the crop to additional risk and accident from bad 
weather; but every saving in ¢ime is a positive advantage.—The 
Swiss method saves both time and labour; and the loss from 
shedding, in handling the corn, appears to be less than with us. 
The main principle of their system consists in the use of the 
scythe instead of the sickle. Every one must be aware of the 
very superior powers of the former instrument; but in the or- 
dinary mode of using it, notwithstanding the various contrivances 
of bows, sweeps, cradles, &c. which have been attached to the 
scythe to remedy the inconvenience, the corn is thrown down in 
such rude heaps, and the ears become so entangled, that a great 
loss follows from shedding : and hence farmers have conceived it 
better to employ six sickles than one scythe. Nay, I have heard 
it argued, when prices were high, that there was good eeconomy 
in reaping even barley. 
Vol, 58. No, 279. July 1821. H In 
