182 



SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. 



cradle consists of three slender rods of ash, slightly 

 bent, and mortised into a piece of wood which is 

 attached to the lower part of the handle. These rods are 

 of unequal length, the uppermost being about two feet 

 long, and the others gradually diminishing. In place 

 of this common form of scythe there has be.ijp recently 

 introduced one with two handles, which is said to place 

 the mower in a less constrained position, and therefore 

 to be more easily worked. 



The following illustration displays the modes of reap- 

 ing with the different forms of scythe mentioned. 



REAPING WITH THE SCYTHE. 



The advantages of mowing corn by the scythe are, 

 that, where the ground is level, it is cut closer to the 

 earth than can possibly be done with the sickle, and 

 thus a considerable quantity of straw is gained. It 



