3G 



SKETCHES OF RURAL AFFAIRS. 



n 



REAL SIZE OF MESHES IN 

 WHEAT RIDDLE. 



It is held in this manner about two or three seconds, 

 and then lifted up and placed upon two sticks over 

 an empty tub to drip, until another basketful is 

 ready. The first basketful 

 is then poured out upon the 

 clean floor of the barn, 

 while the second is placed 

 to drain. Meanwhile, a per- 

 son stands with a barn wheat 

 riddle near the heap of grain, 

 and shakes over each bas- 

 ketful, as it is poured out, 

 a little slaked caustic lime. 

 Some farmers allow their 

 wheat to remain a bushel 

 at a time in the tub of ley 

 for five minutes, or upwards, stirring it up, and skim- 

 ming off light grains that float on the top. But they do 

 not ever exceed ten minutes, because the steep is of so 

 powerful a nature that it would 

 destroy the vegetative power of the 

 grain. 



When the whole heap of pickled 

 and limed wheat is lying on the 

 floor of the barn, it requires thorough 

 mixing, until the whole mass appears 

 uniform. Two men, provided each 

 with a barn shovel, now stand op- 

 posite each other, and make their 

 shovels meet on the floor underneath 

 the heap, turning the grain repeat- 

 edly, until the lime is fully incorpo- 

 rated with it. The pickled grain is 

 then put in clean sacks, and carted 

 at once to the field, only a sufficient 

 quantity for the day's use being 

 pickled at once for fear of injury 

 to the grain. Thus does the farmer 



