I told my
reapers not to concern themselves about the length of the straw, but to
grasp the corn where it was convenient to them, without stooping; each
was to wind a stalk around his own handful, and throw it into the
basket; in this way great labour was saved.
The plan pleased the boys immensely, and in a short time the basket had
been filled many times, and the field displayed a quantity of tall,
headless stubble, which perfectly horrified the mother, so extravagant
and untidy did she consider our work.
`This is dreadful!' cried she; `you have left numbers of ears growing
on short stalks, and look at that splendid straw completely wasted! I
don't approve of your Italian fashion at all.'
`It is not a bad plan, I can assure you, wife, and the Italians do not
waste the straw by not cutting it with the grain; having more arable
than pasture land, they use this high stubble for their cattle, letting
them feed in it, and eat what grain is left; afterward, allowing the
grass to grow up among it, they mow all together for winter fodder. And
now for threshing, also in Italian fashion. We shall find it spares our
arms and backs as much in that as in reaping.'
The little sheaves were laid in a large circle on the floor, the boys
mounted Storm, Grumble, Lightfoot, and Hurry, starting off at a brisk
trot, with many a merry jest, and round they went, trampling and
stamping out the grain, while dust and chaff flew in clouds about them.
Pages:
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428