THE HAINAULT SCYTHE. 



183 



also reduces the employment of women in the harvest- 

 field, and is a cheaper method of getting in the crop 

 than reaping with the sickle. It likewise causes the 

 sheaves to be more loosely packed, and the corn to be 

 less in danger of sprouting, or growing out, than when 

 handled and closely pressed together as it is by the 



THE HAINAULT SCYTHE. 



reaper. The disadvantages of mowing corn are, that if 

 clover or any other crop is sown with it, the scythe cuts 

 nearly all that has grown, and makes the harvest 

 hazardous. There is also more trouble and difficulty 

 in setting the corn up in stocks, and the appearance of 

 the field is often slovenly. Wheat that has been mown 

 takes more time in carrying, and more space in housing. 

 Where the land is foul, the scythe cannot be made to 

 answer. 



