180 SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. 



drawback, however, to its use, in the frequent sharpen- 

 ings it requires, and the loss of time thus incurred. 

 The reapers generally work in bands of about half a 

 dozen together, headed by an experienced hand. The 

 bandster, who follows them, ties up the sheaves, and 

 places them upright in stooks, upon the middle of each 

 alternate ridge. This is the general process of reaping 

 wheat in England ; but in many districts the scythe 

 has been lately introduced in preference to the sickle. 

 Where the crop stands up well, and time presses, there 

 may be great advantage in mowing instead of reaping 

 corn ; but it is very doubtful whether any satisfactory 

 result would be obtained from a general use of the 

 scythe, except in the case of oats and barley, for which 

 it is already commonly used. The wheat crop is so 

 valuable that the most careful method, and that 

 which admits ' of the least waste, should always be 

 preferred. Now, unless there is much dexterity in the 

 work-people, and much good management on the part 

 of those who superintend them, there cannot fail to be 

 waste, and also rough work, in mowing wheat with a 

 scythe. A prudent farmer never abandons an old 

 method, which he has found to work well, for a new one 

 which he is not quite master of. Such conduct would 

 create discontent and ill-temper among his labourers, 

 and thus greatly thwart his purposes throughout the 

 whole harvest. But when fully persuaded that a change 

 is desirable, he must exercise his judgment to bring it 

 about with the least possible disturbance of the usual 

 arrangements. Harmony and good understanding, 

 always desirable, are never more necessary than during 

 this busy season. 



Where the scythe is adopted instead of the sickle, 

 strong and able workmen are necessary; the task being 

 one of the hardest known in agriculture. And they 

 must possess dexterity as well as strength, otherwise 

 they will only make confusion in the field. The nature 

 of his implement prevents the scythe-man laying the 



