158 



TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



hide. The portion held in the hands was called 



Ld the head 



*t which beat the 



laneragnyn, ana me neaa or part wnicn oeat me corn, 

 " slatt-hoost." These have gone ont of nse within the last 

 twenty years. Two men or women would work together, 

 having a sheaf of corn spread out before them on the floor, 

 which in that spot was made particularly strong and thick, 

 as may still be seen in some old barns. In winnowing a 

 sieve or tray, " Dollan-benalt,'" was used in the open air. 

 This was made by bending a thin band of wood, the ends 

 overlapping and tied together by means of a tendon run 

 through small holes bored in the wood. Over this was 

 spread a sheep or goat skin, sewn on to the band by cords 

 plaited through the skin and holes in the wood. Being 

 filled with grain this was carried to the door or into a 

 field, a sack or something being spread underneath. The 

 dollan was moved gently backwards and forwards so that 

 the wind might blow the chaff away. In grading the 

 grain, and in the process of meal sifting, similar trays, 

 but perforated, were used, holes being made in the skin 

 by boring with a small red-hot iron bar. The '* Peick," 

 very much like the dollan, but smaller and deeper, was 



holding bonnags, cakes, meal, and such 

 was generally kept on the "latts" in the 



used for 

 like, and 

 kitchen. 



Straw taken from the flail without being broken 

 ("gloyee") was turned into rope, " suggane." Such ropes 

 of straw and hay are still used to secure thatches of 

 cottages and stacks. They are made by ik twisters," rods 

 or branches of willow or ash, bent in U-shape, the thicker 

 end elongated and revolving inside a hollow wooden 

 handle. The other end is bent by a string tied to its 

 point, and attached to the first at the point where it enters 

 the handle. A portion of the straw T or hay being made 

 fast to the loop, the bent rod is twisted by one man 



