Notes and Illustrations. 287 
§2. 16. ‘“‘Swinge brembles and brakes,” this is, cut down with a 
sweeping instrument somewhat resembling a scythe. 
58. 1. ‘‘ Sheep-shearing takes place only once, viz. in the month 
of June; the heaviest wethers weigh sixty pounds, others from 
forty to fifty pounds: they bear at the most not more than six, 
others four or five pounds of wool; one of the best wethers (not- 
withstanding that they are very abundant) sells for about twenty 
shillings, that is, ten French francs or five thalers ; the inferior 
sort about ten shillings, or five francs; and the worst about six or 
eight English shillings. The skin of the best wether and sheep is 
worth about twelve pence, that is, four and a half German batzen ; 
the worst about eight pence or three batzen; a pound of wool 
about twelve pence, or four and a half batzen.”—Rathgeb, 1602, 
Rye, p. 51 (quoted in Harrison’s Description of England, ed. 
Furnivall, Part I. p. Ixxxili). ‘‘ Running Water is best, . . . but 
then it is oft-times very sheer and cold.”—T.R. (June). 
53. 2. “Grote.” ‘In this yere [1349] the kynge caused to be 
coyned grotes and half grotes, the whiche lacked of the weight of 
his former coyne, ii* vi“ in a li [&@éra, pound] Troy.”—Fabyan, 
p- 461. The groat was only equal to about three and a half silver 
pennies instead of four. 
53. 3. ‘‘ The Pie will discharge thee,” etc., that is, the magpie 
will save you the trouble, etc., alluding to birds eating vermin 
on sheep’s backs. 
53. 4. ““Ouercome”=overtake, or keep up with; don’t mow more 
than you can easily make, not too much at once, lest part of it be 
spoiled for want of hands. 
‘“@oekapace., Cf Piers Plowman, C. Text, Passus vi.-12, 13 
(ed. Skeat). 
“‘ Canstow seruen, he seide, oper syngen in a churche, 
Ober coke for my cokers, oper to pe cart picche ?” 
7.e. put hay into cocks for my harvest men. Mr. Skeat quotes in his 
note to this passage: ‘“‘ Bee it also prouided, that this act, nor any- 
thing therein contained, doe in any wise extende to any cockers 
or haruest folkes that trauaile into anie countrie of this realme for 
haruest worke, either corne haruest, or hay haruest, if they doe 
worke and labour accordingly.”—Rastall, Statutes ; Vagabonds, 
etc., p. 474. 
53. 5. To employ your labourers in ploughing, or in performing 
other parts of husbandry, till the dew is off the grass, is unquestion- 
ably a saving of time, and essentially forwards the business of the 
farm.—M. : 
53. 6. He who is constantly borrowing tools and other things 
which he ought to have of his own, lays himself under obligation 
to the lender, who expects twice as much in return. 
53. 15. “‘ Woodsere” heremeansthe proper season for felling wood. 
53. 18. “Fieing.” ‘“Feigh, Fey, vb. to clean out a drain, gutter or 
