On the Agriculture of the Netherlands.. 61 



this hook he collects the standing corn, and lays it towards the left, 

 while the right hand cuts it close to the ground. The cut corn leans 

 against that which is standing; and when as much has been cut as will 

 make half a sheaf, the workman turns half round, and hooking up part 

 of what is cut with as much of what is standing, he cuts and rolls up 

 the whole in the form of a sheaf, using his leg and foot to keep it in the 

 bend of the blade : the legs are protected by pieces of strong leather over 

 the shins. Thus it is laid down for the binders. Those who are ac- 

 customed to the method of fagging in use in Middlesex, Surrey, and the 

 neighbourhood, where straw is valuable, will readily see that this scythe 

 is only an improved fagging-hook, allowing the reaper to stand upright 

 at his work, and saving that fatigue of the back which is the chief incon- 

 venience of fagging. For women, to whom stooping is not so laborious, 

 the fagging-hook may perhaps do the work as conveniently. But, in 

 Flanders, women only tie up the sheaves, and seldom reap. This in- 

 strument has been often recommended for use in England ; and we have 

 ourselves made presents of it to reapers who cut by the acre. Very few 

 had the patience to become dexterous in the use of it, and after a few 

 trials returned to the old fagging-hook ; although it was evident that it 

 would, if properly managed, cut one-third more corn at least in the 

 same time. It is, however, inferior in expedition to the cradle-scythe 

 in the hands of a skilful mower. This last is also used in Flanders, but 

 not so commonly as the foregoing. 



" The Mollebart, the use of which in the levelling of newly- 

 trenched land has been before mentioned, is an instrument peculiarly 

 Flemish or Dutch. It is simply a very large wooden shovel, in form 

 like the tin dustpans used by housemaids, with a stout long handle. 

 The bottom, which is convex, is covered all over with thin iron plates ; 

 and a stronger piece of iron (c d) forms the edge. The handle (a) is 

 6 or 1 feet long, firmly fixed to the shovel, and so placed that, when the 

 end is raised 5 or 6 feet high, the only part of the instrument which 

 touches the ground is the edge (c d). When it is held 3 feet from the 

 ground the shovel rests on the convex bottom (as ate), with the edge 

 rising a few inches above the ground ; and when it is pushed quite 

 down, and it drags on the ground, the instrument rests on the hinder 

 part of the bottom (6). The width of this shovel is about 3 feet, and 



Mollebart. 



