188 



OLD WEST SURREY 



no longer seen. The pitiless, grasping iron contrivances pick 

 up the stray ears too closely. The mower carrying his scythe 

 is to be remembered only, for he is rarely to be met. 



In the older days the wives and children of farm-servants- 

 were allowed to glean or ' lease ' on the fields of the farm 

 where the father was employed, before the sheaves were 

 carried. If others came who were not entitled to the 



A Mower 



privilege, they were roped off the field, where it was free of 

 sheaves, by a rope stretched between two horses, and so 

 carried down the field. After the corn was carried, most 

 farmers allowed anybody to glean. The children held the 

 ears on long stalks, in their hands close up to the heads, 

 making neat bundles. The ears on short stems were dropped 

 into an apron pocket. 



The corn so gleaned, after being threshed, was ground at 



