CHAP. V.J 



THRESHING. — GRINDING CORN. 



101 



A poor crop is obtained, and when the broom has grown 

 again, in about six years that is, the same process is repeated. 



THRESHING. 



The general mode of extracting the wheat from the ear is 

 by driving oxen, attached to a light sledge in which a number 

 of small sharp stones are fixed, round the circular earthen 

 threshing floors, which are placed at the corners of the 

 fields ; in some parishes the flail is used ; barley is almost 

 always threshed out with flails, or with short thick handdubs. 

 The grinding was formerly a monopoly, the exclusive right of 

 it belonging to one family ; now every one is free to grind 

 for himself. 



GRINDING CORN. 



The water-mills which grind the larger quantities of corn, 

 are worked by a single horizontal wheel. The supply of 

 water is obtained from a levada, beneath which the mill is 



HORIZONTAL WHEEL MILL. 



built : the water falls on the wheel through a pipe of wood, 

 broad at the top, and gradually less towards the end. For 



