144 HAY-MAKING. 



exposure to the sun and air. In very hot 

 burning weather, one day will make it into hay ; 

 but this seldom happens. Generally the wind- 

 rows have to be raked into small heaps, called 

 cocks, several times, if not against rain, at least 

 as a protection from the dews of the night. 

 Hay-makers never commence this part of their 

 work, until about eight o'clock in the morning, 

 in order to allow previous time for the dews to 

 evaporate. Should the weather continue good, 

 in three or four days the hay is made and ready 

 for carting. Carts, with large ladders before 

 and behind, or wagons, are drawn into the 

 field. Strong men are now employed to pitch 

 and load : that is, to thrust up bundles of the 

 hay on long-handled forks, whilst others in the 

 vehicle receive it at their hands, and dispose it 

 so as to ride well in a large mass. So much, 

 indeed, will they cram in, and lay on, that the 



