366 OF HARVESTING GRAIN. 



corn in the same manner as if they were mowing grass for 

 hay; but by using what they call a bow, fixed at the heel 

 of the scythe, they are enabled to lay the barley almost as 

 straight, as if cut with the sickle, so as to tie it up into 

 sheaves very neatly. He considers this as the cheapest, 

 and in every respect the completest mode of harvesting 

 barley. 



To many of the more fertile districts, great numbers of 

 Highlanders, both male and female, annually resort, to 

 reap the crops, and receive a certain sum per day, and 

 their victuals, for the work they perform. In the Carse of 

 Gowrie, the harvest was formerly performed by men and 

 women hired expressly for that purpose ; the men at a 

 guinea, and the women at los. for the harvest; during 

 which time they got a breakfast, a dinner of bread and 

 beer, and a small quantity of oatmeal for supper. At 

 that time, the harvest used to cost about 5s. per acre, in- 

 cluding all expences. Some time after that, the harvest 

 wages rose to 30s. for the men, and 20s. for the women, 

 varying, as the farmer and they could agree ; but the ex- 

 pence altered according to the price of meal, and the 

 length of the harvest, from a favourable season, or the 

 contrary, and it has been as high as Qs. or 10s. per acre. 

 About fifteen or sixteen years ago, some men came to the 

 Carse as contractors, and agreed to cut down the crops at 

 a certain sum per acre, but that plan did not continue 

 long. 



About six years ago, another practice took place in that 

 district, which continues to this day. It is called tkreaving, 



than would pay the difference between cutting by the scythe and the 

 sickle. At the same time, he admits, that a great benefit arises from 

 mowing grain crops, by the additional quantity of straw obtained. That 

 advantage, however, may be got by mowing the stubble. 



