HAT : -MAKING. 141 



leaving any standing between his pathway and 

 that of him who precedes him. This second 

 man also leaves the swath in a line at his left 

 hand, which forms another row. In the same 

 way, when he has got far enough away, the 

 third man begins, and so on, if there were 

 twenty. It is easy to see that in this way no 

 man can interfere with his companion's work. 

 All is regular, and there is no danger of patches 

 being left undone, to require a second visit. 

 When the field is thus cut, the grass is said to 

 be "lying in the swaths." In this state it is 

 best to lie, if rains should come on, or appear 

 probable. At any rate, it is not usual to disturb 

 it, until the mowers are out of the field ; unless, 

 on the other hand, it should happen to be pro- 

 pitiously fine after much showery weather. 



Shaking-out is generally performed in the 

 United States by boys"; but in England by the 



