MATS FOR HOTBEDS 87 



the butt ends outward and the heads overlapping. 

 Two opposite spools are then brought up and a 

 hard knot is tied at each point. The projecting 

 butts of the straw are then cut off with a hatchet, 

 and the mat is allowed to drop through to receive 

 the next pair of wisps. In making these mats, 



Making straw mats. 



it is essential that the rye contains no ripe grain; 

 otherwise it attracts the mice. It is best to 

 grow rye for this especial purpose, and to cut it 

 before the grain is in the milk, so that the straw 

 does not need to be threshed. 



In addition to these coverings of straw or mat- 



