OLD HOMESTEAD 



cutting. This was done with the scythe or cradle, as circum- 

 stances seemed to require. All of it that could be got into the 

 barn was put in, which was quite an amount, as the ha}^ in the 

 great bay had settled and left plenty of room at its top. The 

 scaffolding immediately over the barn floor was always left for 

 grain, and by taking great pains a large amount could be stored 

 upon it, filling from the scaffold away above the purlins, clear 

 to the peak. If it could not all be put in the barn, stacks were 

 made by the door, which would be convenient to the thrashing 

 machine. It was impracticable to thrash as it was drawn from 

 the field. 



It did not require much extra help to do this harvesting, as 

 the hired man and the boys could do the most of it, as it ripened 

 gradually in the same order in which it was sown. If the grain 

 was very short or thistly, it had to be mowed and handled loose. 

 If it stood up fairly well and was free from thistles, it could be 

 cradled and bound. This was nice work, but it required con- 

 siderable beef and bottom to swing the heavy, old-fashioned 

 straight cradle. Later on, a lighter and easier working "muley " 

 cradle was purchased. 



Raking and binding was interesting and pleasant, although 

 backaching work. It was quite a knack to be able to make the 

 bands, draw them around and tie them tight. Some would stoop 

 down and put their knees on the bundle, but the good binder 

 drew up and bound his bundles without doing this, and could 

 bind as fast as a cradler could cut it. Like swimming, the mo- 

 tion of making a band, when once learned, can never be forgot- 

 ten or lost. Cradling requires a man very strong in his arms 

 and chest. Some were very proficient in the work and could do 

 it very rapidly, cutting five or six acres in a single day. I was 

 not one of them. 



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