26 TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 



under-gronnd granaries exclude all air and moisture, and grain 

 is preserved in them for several years. — I think it is probable that 

 potatoes on this island might be preserved in the same manner 

 for several months. 



In some parts of India, small store-rooms are erected, which 

 are strongly floored with planks, to keep out the bandicoots, a 

 species of destructive rat, much larger than those at St. Helena. 

 In the store-rooms, no opening is left for air : but there are small 

 doors, one above another, for the convenience of taking out the 

 grain as it is wanted. 



In some of the northern countries of Europe, the flail is not 

 used in thrashing. A large circle is cleared, and levelled, upon 

 an open and elevated place. After the stones, or gravel, have 

 been carefully removed, water is sprinkled — and the space is 

 covered with short straw. A post is then fixed in the centre of 

 the circle, and as soon as the soil is somewhat dry, it is trodden 

 by horses, fastened by means of a rope, to the central post. — As 

 the horses are driven round, the rope gradually shortens ; and 

 the animals, when they have approached the centre, are made to 

 move in a contrary direction. After repeatedly pursuing this 

 alternate career, towards and from the centre, the floor is at 

 length prepared. The sheaves are now untied, and disposed in 

 successive circles from the post to the circumference, in order to 

 be trodden. The thrashing is performed exactly in the same 

 manner as in preparing the floor, by driving two or three horses 

 round the post until all the ears are separated. The straw, which 

 is reduced to very short pieces, is separated, and used as fodder 

 during the winter ; and the grain and chaft' are then collected 

 into a heap, and the winnowing performed in the same manner 

 as is practised in India. 



It is remarkable that the winnowing of corn in Egypt and 



