134 



Farming of South Wales. 



circle is then formed, the sheaves having the ears inclined up- 

 wards and inwards. Fresh layers are made, each diminishing 

 the circle, till at last at the top, four sheaves are placed nearly in 

 an upright position. These are strongly connected together, and 

 a small sheaf tied very near the ground end is placed with its 

 ears downwards as a capping for the whole. The mow gene- 

 rally contains 100 to 120 sheaves, and when well made, will resist 

 the weather six weeks or two months. In this humid climate the 

 system cannot be too much commended, for in wet harvests, when 

 corn is moderately dry, it can thus be preserved from harm ; while, 

 if placed in a large rick directly, it would invariably spoil. The 

 farmer at his convenience drives the mows (perhaps after airing 

 the sheaves) to his hay-guard, where they are placed in small 

 well-made ricks — which are round, or stacks — which have four 

 angles. The hay-guard or stack-yard is situated close to the barn, 

 which is just large enough for two men to work and contain the 

 corn for one day's thrashing. By the constant removal of the 

 corn from the rick, much is left each day exposed to the weather 

 and depredations of fowls. The thrashing is performed in the 

 following manner : — A single sheaf is laid whole upon " the 

 plank," which is formed of a number of boards attached together, 

 elevated above the barn floor, and placed in a sloping position. 

 The sheaf after repeated blows from the flail unties itself; and as 

 the corn is knocked out, the straw is gradually thrashed off the 

 plank, when a girl is always in attendance to shake out the loose 

 grains and take it away. The wheaten straw is carefully made 

 into bundles for thatch. The woman takes a handful of the straw, 

 separates it, and shakes out what is loose, and short, and thus 

 proceeds till she has procured sufficient for a small sheaf, which 

 is then bound up. As soon as a new rick is made at harvest, it 

 is immediately covered with these bundles, which secure it from 

 the rain. The thatching takes place at some convenient time, 

 which is performed in a dry state, with great strength and neat- 

 ness. Till within the last few years winnowing machines were 

 seldom met with ; even now corn is often cleaned, by taking it to 

 some exposed situation, where by throwing it up the wind blows the 

 chaff away, while the grain falls on a large sheet. Corn is carried 

 to markets, and there sold ; but sales by samples are common in 

 some districts. Grain is frequently sold by the weight, the bushel 

 of wheat at 62 lbs., and barley at 52 lbs.* As this year, the. 

 weight of both grains is 4 or 5 lbs. under that standard, the 

 averages are made erroneously high, for they are returned at so 

 much per bushel, whereas that is really the price of a bushel and 



* By the repealed Act of 31 Geo. III. c. 30, the following weight was deemed equal 

 to a Winchester bushel, viz. : — Wheat, 571bs. ; barley, 49 lbs. ; oats, 38 lbs. ( 



