THE CORN-BARN. 205 



passed several times through this loop, and also through 

 the hole in the end of the helve, and well secured. 

 Thus a loose swing-joint is formed, allowing free action 

 to the beater, as it is swung round the head of the 

 thresher previously to its descent upon the ears of corn. 

 Sometimes a staple of iron is fixed to the end of the 

 beater instead of the leather loop : but this requires to 

 be made very smooth and round, otherwise it rapidly 

 chafes the thong which binds it to the helve. When 

 the beater is too heavy, the labourer is soon fatigued 

 without any advantage being gained in the beating out 

 of the grain : yet it is very common to see this part of 

 the flail out of proportion to the rest, and considerably 

 thickened at the lower end. This is supposed to give 

 better effect to the blows ; but as every part of the 

 beater ought to strike the floor with equal force, and 

 should perform its office on the corn beneath its whole 

 length, it is therefore evident, that by thickening one 

 extremity we prevent the other portion from reaching 

 the ground at all, or, to say the least, we greatly weaken 

 its effect. If there is any difference in the size of the 

 beater, it should be in making the lower end thinner 

 instead of thicker than the upper end. 



Every one knows that in this variable climate the 

 threshing of corn with the flail is carried on under 

 cover. The English corn-barn is constructed with 

 much care and expense, being built either with planks 

 of oak fastened to a frame-work of wood, or with brick 

 or stone, where the latter are plentiful. Openings are 

 left in the sides, that the barn may be fully ventilated ; 

 without this the least dampness in the grain would in- 

 duce mouldiness. The roof is either of tile or thatch. 

 There are two large folding-doors, one on each side of 

 the barn, and exactly opposite each other ; these are for 

 the convenience of carrying a whole load of corn in 

 sheaves into the barn. The doors are very wide, often 

 equalling the width of the threshing-floor itself, and 

 thus giving light and space for the work. The mute- 



