166 THRESHING. 



threshing is the common mode : a tedious one, 

 it seems, but, nevertheless, as good, perhaps, all 

 things considered, as any other method that 

 has been adopted. 



The flail is a smooth, hard, and heavy club 

 of wood, largest at its further end, and about a 

 yard long, fastened by a leathern thong to a 

 handle somewhat longer. The joint is so con- 

 trived, by means of a part that turns round, 

 that the flail may have a sort of circular motion? 

 as it is wielded by the thresher. Before he 

 begins, he sweeps the barn-floor, and carefully 

 mends and stops any holes that he may see. 

 He then takes sheaves from the bays, or else- 

 where, and untying them, spreads them regu- 

 larly on each side with the ears towards the 

 middle of the floor. When thus adjusted, he 

 begins or they for sometimes three or four 

 are employed at once to beat the ears with 



