184 SKETCHES OP RURAL AFFAIRS. 



In order to lessen the laborious nature of the task of 

 mowing corn, there was an attempt some years ago to 

 introduce the Hainault scythe, a small implement con- 

 sisting of a bent portion, or hook, to be held in the left 

 hand, pressing upon the corn, and a scythe held in the 

 right hand by a handle, the forefinger being thrust 

 through a leather loop. In using this scythe, the reaper 

 stepped backwards as he made a series of strokes against 

 the standing corn, and drew the cut portion towards him 

 by means of the hook. Two young Flemish farmers were 

 brought over by the Highland Society in 1825, for the 

 purpose of instructing the labourers of Scotland in the 

 use of this scythe, which was reported to be the means 

 of saving from one-fourth to one-third of the usual 

 expense of reaping by the sickle. Nevertheless, the 

 Hainault scythe has not made its way in this country, 

 nor is it deemed equal to our cradle scythe. 



Whether by scythe or sickle, the business of the har- 

 vest goes rapidly forward, and is the grand object of 

 attention while it lasts. Every other occupation gives 

 way to it ; indeed, the best managers have taken good 

 care that nothing shall interfere with their task, by 

 clearing off all other duties as far as they were able. If 

 the villager is working harder than usual at his garden, 

 or his little allotment of ground, it is to get it all in 

 order " before harvest." If an unusual display of linen 

 whiten the hedges, or flutter in the breeze, it is a sign 

 of the general wash undertaken by good housewives 

 just " before harvest," that they may have the less to do 

 during that important season. If there be an unusual 

 preparation and whetting of tools, a sweeping out and 

 repairing of barns and stack frames, and a careful col- 

 lection of such articles as may be wanted to repair any 

 damage in the field, it is all with the same object of 

 preventing interruption when once the reaper's task has 

 commenced, and when every hand is wanted in the field. 

 The farmer himself also (unless he has a competent 

 steward) takes care to be absent as little as possible from 



