irf The Statural Hiflory 



it together, and cocking it with a fork. , which js ufually a trident, 

 whofe teeth ftand not in a row, but meet pyramidally in a center at 

 the ftaff: _They let it lie in the fwathe a day or two, which both 

 ripens the Corn and withers the weeds. Oats, and all mixed Corns 

 called Horfe-meat, are Harvefted fomtimes with two reaping books, 

 whereof the manner is thus : The Workman taking a hookjn each 

 hand, cuts them with that in his right hand, and rolls them up 

 the while with that in his left, which they call bagging of Peas : 

 Others they cut with a reaping hook, fet in a fiajf about a yard 

 long, and then they cut and turn the Peas before them with both 

 hands till they have a wad, which they lay by, and begin again ; 

 and this they call cutting with the slaff-hook.' But the fithe they fay 

 is much the fpeedieft way, which if ufed with care, cuts them as 

 well and clean, as either of the other. 



i c r . After the fithe they wWboth Beans and Teas, and fo turn 

 them till they are throughly withered and dry, and then cockznd 

 fit them for carriage, only with this difference, that Beans while 

 they are cockedand carryed, have the \oofe /talks pickt up by hand, 

 the rake being apt to beat the Beans out of the pods, as they are 

 drawn up againft the leg. All forts of Cocks are beft made of 

 a middleingci^e, and well top'd ; the advantages are, that thefe 

 are apprehended at leaft totakelefs wet with the fame rain than 

 greater, and will dry again without breaking ; whereas the great 

 cocks, after rain, muft be pulled to pieces, which cannot be done 

 without great lofs, for in the opening and turning much Corn 

 will be beaten out, and that certainly the beft too. 



102. If their Corn be brought home a little moifler, or greener 

 than ordinary, or the weeds be not let lie to be throughly (hrunk 

 or wither'd, that they fufpect. it may heat in the Barn more than 

 ordinary (for it is kind for C orn and fodder to heat a little) then 

 they draw a Cubb or Beer-lip (which others call the Seed-cord') 

 up the middle of the mow ovftack. , and through the hole that this 

 leaves, the heat will afcend and fo prevent mow-burning ; Or if it 

 heat in the Barn beyond expe&ation, and be like to do amifs, 

 they then pull a. hole in the middle from the top to the bottom, 

 which will alfo help it much. They draw an old Axel-tree of a 

 Cart up a Hay-rick to the fame purpofe, if they think their Hay of 

 the greeneji, or over moift when ftack$d. 



103. But 



