sect. IV. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. "205 



the canal, beginning at the lower end, and plac- 

 ing them in a x sloping posture, with the crop or 

 top end up. The reason of which is, that the 

 crop end is most difficult to water, and therefore 

 ought to lye where the water is warmest. The 

 whole is usually covered with sods, having the 

 green sides turned down, to keep the ilax clean. 

 In order to prevent its getting either too muck 

 or too little of the water, some stalks are drawn 

 from the middle of a sheaf, and dried for trial. 

 This is done for two or three days successively, 

 immediately before the time it may be supposed 

 to be ready. When, at last, it is found to be 

 sufficiently watered, the covering is carefully re- 

 moved, and the ftax taken out, sheaf by sheaf, 

 and laid in a heap on the edge of the canal, 

 where it remains till the water be tolerably well 

 drained off. Any sheaves, that may. be dirtied 

 by the mud on the sides or bottom of the canal, 

 are carefully washed in the water. It is next 

 carted to a grass field, as smooth and clean and 

 well aired as possible ; and spread by women in 

 straight and regular rows, the top end of the lat- 

 ter always covering the root of the former row, 

 to prevent its being lifted and disordered by the 

 wind. This operation they perform with great 

 dexterity and expedition. In this state it re- 

 mains, till it be judged sufficiently watered. In 

 taking it up, they use the point of a reaping ' 

 hook' to raise it from the ground, and collect it 

 into sheaves, which are now made of a larger size 

 than formerly. It is then either stacked at home, 

 or carried directly from the field to the mill, 

 where it is put up, and carefully secured from 

 the w cathcr, till it be dressed, which is ordinari? 



