OF THE COUNTY OF TYRONE. 51 



of that town. I find, from fair trial, that the fpades 

 are as good as any, which have been brought from 

 other parts. At Newtown-ftewart, by Mr. Bar tin of 

 that town, another fpade and (hovel-mill is about to be 

 fet up. 



Pick-axe and Crow-iron. Formerly the pick-axe was 

 feldom ufed in finking drains and ditches ; the crow- 

 iron was the chief implement for that purpofe. The 

 former is at prefent in moft general ufe, being lefs la- 

 borious to the workman ; befides, in moft cafes, it is 

 t?eft for quick difpatch. In heavy ftrong foils, and 

 where large ftones interfere, the latter is preferred, 

 being more powerful for weighty works. 



Forks, rakes, reaping-hooks, fcythes, &c. are in 

 common with other counties. 



I cannot pafs over a fimple implement, peculiarly 

 adapted to this county, and which, I believe, is tole- 

 rably general through the North, though not fo io 

 other parts of the kingdom. The old Irifli name is 

 Jkroghoge ; the word /krogh being generally ufed for fod. 

 I (hall here call it a fcraw-cutter. 



It is ufed for cutting fcraws or fods, to lay on the 

 houfes, between the wattling and the thatch, which 

 contribute very much to keep them comfortable and 

 warm, and alfo faves thatch. The fods are cut about 

 two feet broad, and from an inch to two inches thick; 

 the length is determined by the depth of the roof \ for 

 example, a roof of fourteen feet in depth will require 



12 a fbd; 



