BESOMS AND SCRUBBING BRUSHES. 



"Brother, on the heathery lea 

 Longer yet my sleep must be ; 

 Though the morn of battle rise, 

 Darkly night rolls o'er my eyes. 

 Brother, this is death. 



"Call me not when bugles sound, 

 Name me not when wine flows round ; 

 Name me but amidst the brave; 

 Give me but a soldier's grave 

 But my bed of heath." 



Mrs. Hemans. 



Besoms and Scrubbing Brushes 



As has already been stated, the Heather derives 

 its botanical appellation from the Greek Kalluno, to 

 adorn, to sweep. This designation was given to the Cal- 

 luna on account of its usefulness in the manufacture of 

 besoms and other kitchen utensils. 



The Heather harvest occurs in the early weeks 

 of autumn. Then the Heather cutter and thatcher 

 appear armed with thin-bladed knives and tarred 

 string. The Heather is cut and tied in bundles ; that 

 for thatching being about two feet in length, and as 

 much as one can grasp in the hand, while for besoms 

 the sheaves are longer and thicker. Sometimes it is 

 sent distances, and the railroad station is then beauti- 

 fied by trucks of brilliant blossoms, the bundles being 

 packed stems inmost. Tiny sprays of Heather litter 

 the iron way, and the bees not fortunate enough to 

 have been sent to the hills hum their appreciation of 



75 



