144 



SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. 



convenience of the person mowing. Thus it is that a 

 man can seldom mow well without his own scythe. In 

 order to get a wide sweep, our labourers bend their bodies 

 very much in mowing, but in other countries the mowers 

 stand nearly upright, using a long and straight-handled 

 scythe, the end of which passes over the upper part of 

 the left arm. 



Mowing is done by the acre ; but making, that is, 

 tedding, raking, <fcc. is paid for by the day's work. The 

 number of persons employed makes it necessary to watch 

 all parties, but especially the tedders and rakers, among 

 whom are generally found some idle and awkward hands. 

 An active mower will cut nearly an acre a-day where 

 the crop is good; with a light crop he can do more. In 

 skilful hands the scythe is carried so near to the ground 

 in a level field, that little or no waste is made, but a 

 careless mower will leave just the most valuable part of 



