HAY-MAKING, 139 



From five to six shillings an acre is, I believe, a 

 very common price for mowing. Often the 

 price is still more, if the grass be very stout, or 

 the land uneven. 



The apparently simple and easy operation of 

 cutting the tender blades and stems of grass 

 with the scythe, is admitted by master and man 

 to be the most severe bodily exertion among 

 all rural employments. The strain upon the 

 back and arms is very great ; and many strong 

 men are wearied out by it, especially at first. 

 There is also an important measure of knack 

 and skill required for whetting, setting, and 

 holding the blade, or the labor is intolerably 

 increased, and the consequence would be a 

 scored and ill-cut field. 



To be better understood, I will proceed to a 

 small enclosure, in which are six men, set on 

 to mow. 



