1909.] 



Thatching. 



465 



ridge of the stack when laid perfectly level with the roof, 

 a quantity of pegs, binding cord or oakum, a paring knife 

 and shears for trimming the eaves, a suitable wooden mallet 

 or other implement to drive in the pegs, and a running 

 noose to convey the yealms of straw to the thatcher. 



Preparation of the Straw. — The preparation of the straw 

 is of more importance than many people imagine. If straw 

 of a dry, loose character is used, it cannot be packed so 

 tightly and securely as damp straw ; for this reason the straw 

 should be well douched with water and turned over with 

 a fork so that it becomes thoroughly moistened. The heap 

 must then be slightly compressed by beating with the fork 

 or treading. This has the effect of ridding the straw of 

 flag and shack, the presence of which tends to arrest the 

 flow of water. 



Yealming. — The straw should be drawn from the bottom 

 of the heap where the pressure is greatest. The usual method 

 is to grasp as much straw as can be gripped by both hands, 

 the two being held close together. The straw is then drawn 

 out by a quick movement of the arms towards the right, 

 followed by a swing over to the left, finally laying the yealm 

 at the worker's feet, the thickest end being to his right-hand 

 side. The work of yealming is usually undertaken by the 

 thatcher's assistant or server, and it is astonishing how 

 rapidly some men can perform the work. 



When a sufficient quantity of this partially straight straw 

 has been collected, the yealmer works through it, using his 

 fingers so as to regulate it and to remove any loose portions, 

 at the same time drawing the bundles closer to his feet, until 

 the layer amounts to as much as he can hold in the grip 

 of both hands. A yealm having been thus formed should 

 never be broken, but kept firm and secure until placed on 

 the stack. As the yealms are completed, they are placed 

 crosswise on a short rope or cord, the thick and the, thin 

 ends alternating. When of sufficient number and weight 

 for a man to carry, the rope, which should have a running 

 noose, is drawn round the yealm, the latter being in this 

 way conveyed to the rick. 



A common practice in the South of England is to place 

 the drawn straw direct in the fork, which, when fully charged, 



