THRASHING. 121 



ripping off the band from each with a knife, as 

 they get them hurled in a shower from the stack 

 alongside, and delivering them to the devouring 

 jaws of the rattling volcano below. The best grain, 

 meanwhile, is pouring into a sack, hung up against 

 the side of the machine, the inferior being delivered 

 at another opening, while at the foot behind the 

 straw is being vomited forth in rapid armfuls, far 

 cleaner thrashed than it would be by the flail. 



"A famous sample, sir; the best I've seen this 

 year," with an air of approbation and an eye to beer, 

 remarks the man in charge of the bag, as I approach 

 for a moment from my perch upon the ladder-step, 

 where, newspaper or book in hand, as an occasional 

 resource, it is best to remain a good part of the day, 

 as a check upon the hireling legionaries, who will 

 idle if they can, it being part of their system, and 

 the bailiff, on a busy day always seeming to prefer 

 to go in and help ; though I believe the case of a 

 man attached to labour — as the one I am fortunate 

 enough to have is — is rare. 



To dispose of the straw issuing behind, there is a 

 wooden trough set up slantwise on one side from the 

 tail of the machine, having a cylindrical bar across 

 each end, around which runs a double belt, all stuck 

 with long iron spikes, like a mastiff's collar. This 

 being put in connexion with the machinery, the 

 moment the engine is off the band begins to revolve, 

 catching the heap of thrashed straw as it is poured 

 forth, hurrying it up the trough, and throwing it out 

 atop on to the stack, which two hands begin to 

 build. 



