Ch. XIV.] 



ON THRASHING. 



197 



I :, lift V \,ii^ 



Tlie Stack-yards throughout England are very generally arranged with 

 greater attention to order and neatness than in Scotland, and any deficiency 

 in that respect is there looked upon as distinctive of slovenly farming. In 

 Ireland, however, the stacks are described in a recently published agricul- 

 tural report, "as commonly made very small, and carelessly put up; for 

 they are generally laid upon the bare earth, without any bottom to protect 

 them, and if wet weather comes on and continues long, much of what lies 

 below perishes by attracting moisture ; the frail structure is likevi'ise liable 

 to be swayed by the wind, and the tops and sides losing their original 

 form, and being no longer capable of throwing off the rain, still more 

 damage ensues : to which is to be added, the depredations of vermin on all 

 stacks thus exposed. As for Barns, in the English acceptation of the term, 

 they are literally unknown in the small farms of the sister kingdom. The 

 floor of some out-house, perhaps, or even that of the family room, may be used 

 for thrashing ; but a vast proportion of the grain is beaten out in the open 

 air, very commonly near the road side, when there happens to be a dry spot*." 



THRASHING. 



The operation of thrashing was formerly performed wholly by the flail, 

 which is an implement too well known to require any particular description ; 

 though it may be remarked that — whether from the men being stronger, or 

 the corn being not so well got in- — the tool used by the labourers of the 

 north of England is lieavier than that employed in the southern counties. 

 The labour is unremittingly severe, and if not very carefidly performed, a 

 portion of the grain is left in the straw; it also proceeds slowly, at a 

 moment when dispatch may be necessary, and these oi)jeclions, rather than 

 any material saving of expense in the mode of performing the work, have 

 given rise to the invention of the thrashing- mill. Notwithstanding the 

 acknowledged advantages of this machine to great farmers, it yet deprives 

 the labourer of a large portion of the wages which he used to earn at a 

 period of the year when little other employment could be obtained, and by 

 an occupation carried on under shelter during the inclement season ; 

 therefore, however w^e mav rejjret the outracres to which it has led, we 

 cannot be surprised at its having roused the anger of an untutored and 

 a starving ])easantry, who are not aware that their own interests and 

 tlieir master's are inseparable. 



* Weld's Survey of the Couniy of Roscommon; p. 655, 



