MEMORIES OF THE 



When cut the grain was bound into sheaves, which were col- 

 lected and placed in shocks of a dozen or more, in conical heaps, 

 heads up. Then one was bound near the end instead of the 

 middle, and the longer part opened up and placed on top of the 

 conical pile, making what was called the *' cap-sheaf. " 



In very early times the little grain which they raised was all 

 cut with the old-fashioned sickle. A man could cut but a little — • 

 perhaps a quarter of an acre or so in a day. My only experience 

 in attempting to use one was where my father was reaping some 

 lodged grain which could not be cut with a cradle. Instead of 

 reaping the grain I reaped a big gash in my leg just below the 

 knee. The edge or teeth of a sickle make a peculiarly ragged, 

 nasty cut, and I yet carry the scar. 



Thrashing was done as soon after the grain was in the barn 

 as the thrashing machine could be procured. These were ex- 

 pensive machines and not common, there being but few in town, 

 and they went around from one place to another as required. 

 When they were brought into a neighborhood, the thrashers 

 always tried to do all the work in that vicinity, so as not to lose 

 time going and coming. 



The first style of thrashing machine which I remember was 

 the old sweep power machine. It was owned and operated 

 by Amos and Asa Randall, neighbors who lived a couple of 

 miles below. It took four span of horses, hitched to the long 

 arms of the sweep, which went round and round and by means 

 of cog-wheel gear drove the band-wheel, which by belt commu- 

 nicated the power to the cylinder. A man stood on a platform 

 laid on the revolving arms in the center of the horses, and 

 watched them that they all pulled even and kept up the proper 

 speed. I remember well how I envied Asa Randall as he stood 

 on this platform in the center of the revolving horse-power and 



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