516 SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. Part II. 



ferent districts. The operation is performed with most care and neatness in the wet 

 climates of the north. 



3176. Gaiting, or gaUning, as it is called in Northumberland, is an operation of much 

 nicety in the performance, and in a damp climate of great consequence in its results. 

 In the upland parts of Northumberland, it is performed in the following manner with 

 the crops of oats, frequently with those of barley, and sometimes with those of wheat : 

 The gaitner follows immediately after about eight or nine sheaves have been cut and laid 

 down ; the corn being laid into the band near the tops or spikes of the corn, he seizes 

 the ends of the band with each hand, brings the gaitning (sheaf) up to the left knee, gives 

 the band a slight and peculiar twist, and then sets the sheaf up singly ; but in doing so 

 he gives it a half turn round, which makes the skirts fly out and gives it exactly the ap- 

 pearance of the straw cover of a bee-hive ; if properly done, the band should be so loose 

 that the master can thrust his hand easily through the middle. The utility of this prac- 

 tice is that no rain can lodge, and the corn therefore never sprouts unless the band has 

 been tied too tight ; it also wins [dries] and is fit for the stack sooner. Gaitned sheaves 

 are not good to keep standing in stormy weather ; some, therefore, now set three gaitned 

 sheaves together, which keeps them up ; they are always sound before they are carted to 

 the stack, but frequently they are not stooked. (J. C, R. near Alnwick.) 



3177. An improved method of setting up sheaves of corn is thus described. Take a 

 stake about twice the height of a sheaf, and drive it six inches into the ground at its 

 thicker end, in an upright position, and around this place eight sheaves in the usual 

 manner ; two more sheaves are then to be bound together at the straw end, and being 

 inverted, are to be thrust down on the top of the stake, so that it shall pass up into the 

 centre of the bound part, and their lower ends being then spread out so as to cover the lower 

 sheaves will protect them from wet in the manner of a hood sheaf. ( Gard. Mag. vol. v. ). 



3178. In the reajring of grain crops, whether the sickle, hook, or scythe is employed for 

 the purpose, there is much difference in the height at which the crops are cut in different 

 places. In some it is the practice to have the business i>erformed in as close a manner as 

 possible ; while in others a stubble of eight, ten, and fifteen inches or more is left. 

 These different practices have their advocates ; one party supposing that the work pro- 

 ceeds more slowly where it is executed in so close a manner, while the other contends 

 that the contrary is the case. But as the stubble which is left is not only useless to the 

 land, but in many cases very troublesome in its succeeding culture, being frequently 

 under the necessity of being removed, it would seem to be the best as well as cheapest 

 practice, to have the business constantly executed in a close manner. By this means the 

 agriculturist will not only have more litter at command for the bedding of his yards, 

 stalls, and other places, and consequently an increase of manure, but with much less 

 waste of grain, and at the same time be freed from the trouble and expense of removing 

 the stubble. It has, indeed, been fully shown, by a careful trial, made with the view 

 of ascertaining the difference between high and low reaping, that tiie advantage is con- 

 siderably in favour of the latter. 



3179. The sickle and the scythe in reaping grain crops have each their advantages and 

 disadvantages. In the first maimer, the crops are deposited with more regularity and 

 exactness, and consequently bound into sheaves with greater facility and despatch. 

 Besides, in many cases, less loss is incurred by the shedding of the grain in the time the 

 work is performing; but the labour is executed with greater difficulty and trouble. 

 Reaping by the scythe possesses the superiority of being more expeditious, and of being 

 performed to any degree of closeness that may be required ; while it has the evident 

 disadvantage of leaving the cut grain in a more irregular and uneven situation, by which 

 it is rendered less fit for being bound up into sheaves, which in many cases is an incon- 

 venience of great consequence. Another objection is, that the ears not being so regularly 

 presented to the rollers of the threshing-mill, the threshing is not done so perfectly. 

 When the grain has attained a high degree of ripeness, there may, likewise, be great loss 

 sustained, by its being shed during the operation, in this way of reaping or cutting the 

 crop. Where this method is practised, it is, however, not unfrequently bound into 

 sheaves, though the more common custom is to let it remain in the rows or swaths till fit 

 for being put into the stack. It is generally the practice to cut it inwards against the 

 crop on which it rests. In the other case, it is cut in the manner of grass for hay. 

 It is obvious, therefore, that where operators are procured with difficulty, this mode of 

 reaping is the most advisable ; while, under the contrary circumstances, the former may be 

 had recourse to with more advantage, as the work may be executed in a neater and 

 more exact way. 



3180. Reaping, whatever mode be adopted, is often let hy the acre to persons that go 

 about for harvest work, and it may, in many cases, be best performed in this manner ; but 

 great attention should be paid by the cultivator to see that the grain is cut and bound up 

 in a proper method, and that the work is not performed in improper weather. The 

 prices vaiy according to the nature of the crops, the season, and other circumstances. In 



