168 THRESHING. 



who first take it in hand. Unless it descend 

 horizontally, so as to touch the floor with its 

 whole length, the shock to the hand and arm is 

 intolerable, whilst the grain probably remains 

 untouched. The danger, however, to by-stand- 

 ers, is still greater, as the peasant knows, who 

 hands the instrument to an unpractised opera- 

 tor. He instantly skips out of the way, well 

 knowing that the intended blow is far more 

 likely to reach his head than the grain below. 

 One or two thumps generally suffice to cure 

 the young beginner of any notions of his capa- 

 bility for that employment. He walks off, 

 blowing his fingers, and not much comforted 

 by the broad grin of the rustics in the barn. 



When a sufficient quantity is threshed out, 

 and the straw raked off, the process of dress- 

 ing commences ; that is, separating the grain 

 from the chaff, small seeds, and refuse which 



