666 
Report on the Trials of Implements at Reading. 
carts and waggons, and in situations where wheeled vehicles 
could not be safely used. The hay-sweeps were cradles of 
slatted woodwork 7 feet wide, resting on the ground in front 
and rising by an easy curve to 25 inches at the back. The front 
portion is a strong piece of ash, flat at the bottom and bevelled 
on the upper edge. The back of the sweep is carried by two 
solid wooden wheels on a swivel, which enables them to move 
in any direction. The modus operandi with these sweeps is as 
follows : — The driver stands midway in the width of the sweep 
and drives along the wind-row ; the sweeper drives the hay up 
and on to the sweep, and in a short time accumulates a large 
cock, which is swept up to the stack. The draught of this 
implement is by chains attached to each side of it, and when the 
stack is reached, the sweep is easily released by unhooking one 
of the draught chains, and the horse pulling sideways at the 
other chain disengages the sweep from the hay. The hay-sledges 
are very similar to those which are used in many parts of the 
country for moving ploughs and harrows from field to field, 
only somewhat larger. An open frame- work, 4 feet 6 inches 
wide and 8 feet 4 inches long, is raised from the ground about 
18 inches and rests upon two arms, which lie flat on the 
ground for a sufficient distance to bear the weight of a load, and 
in the fore part are curved upwards so as to slide easily along the 
ground. These sledges were loaded from two wind-rows, one 
on each side. The hay was placed in position by the Yorkshire 
men with a rake and one hand, and no loader was required. 
When the load reached the stack, one side was lifted, and the 
load being turned over, the sledge was sent back for more. The 
greater part of the hay was got together by means of these sweeps 
and sledges,* and when they were no longer required, they were 
sold to people in the neighbourhood who had seen them in use. 
When the Yorkshire contingent left, a large part of the 
work fell into the hands of " casuals," and it would probably be 
difficult to find anywhere a more worthless set of vagabonds than 
were collected in the hay-field. Ignorant of the use of the com- 
monest tools, hopelessly lazy and unwilling to learn, they were 
never satisfied. To have seen them at work would have tried 
the temper of a saint, and the only time when the faintest sign of 
briskness or alacrity was visible was when the beer was served 
out. On one of the few fine days which shone upon the scene, 
when the sun was bright and a brisk wind was drying up every 
drop of moisture, a number of these fellows thought they saw 
their opportunity, and imagined that even their services could 
* The sweeps and sledges were made by Mr. Joseph Jones, of Preston, near 
Lcybuin. 
