The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-06-26

Bring the side of the blade against the left
boot, let the back OF the cradle doGm
to the ground, the stubble VIII
then hold the grain and the cradle
NAV be slid forward and free from It's load.
Swing back at the same time step with the
left foot then with the right and make the
second stroke. keep up a regular motion, DO
not hurry nor strike hard, nor attempt to
throw the grain from the cradle. One rule
is: always to lay the grain within its own
swath. in this way it will be left perfectly
straight, and can be easily gathered with the
rake. | like to see grain cut low and even,
not with a dishing swath high on the sides
and low in the middle:
Learn torake with the right and left hand,
stand on the side of the stub end IN raklng
Guide the bundle with the leg and foot,
when large enough, step TO the side OF the
bundle, rest the handle Of the rake across
the shoulders and proceed to bind the sheaf.
If with a double band select a small bunch
of straight and even grain as much as you
can grasp with the thumb and fore finger,
hold this firmly in the left hand near the
heads of the grain SO that it will hang IN
front and on a line with the body. With
the right hand separate the band into two
equal parts, and grasp one half just below
the left hand, bring 1t towards the body and
around to the left, raise up the right hand
extend the fore finger and bring with it the
other half Of the band resting on the back of
the finger and hand, break it over the thumb
Of the left hand, at the same time turn the
right hand with the little finger up, back Of
the hand towards the body; carrying it around
and away from the body, and by a simple
twist of the wrist bring the heads OF the
band between the thumb and fore finger of
the right hand, let 60 with the left, and
place the band as far over the bundle as you
can reach with the right hand, extend the
left arm under the bundle, grasp the end Of
the band and draw it under, be sure that the
heads of the band are placed next to the
bundle, slide the right hand to the end of
the band and draw it over towards the body
as far as possible, then with the left draw the
band and roll the bundle slightly from you,
and place the left leg firmly against the
band, let go with the left hand and turn the
hand with thumb up, grasp the band again
and draw the other end through betS7een the
thumb and fore finger of the left hand which
will now hold both ends in place, give one
twist with the right hand and turn the knot
over under the band, this will give you a
firm large bundle, and there is no danger of
its coming unbound by handling, throw the
bundle one side, and with the rake draw
from the stubble end all the loose STRAINS,
anu gather III InOSe scattered III Dlnullg ana
put in the next bundle.
This is the most rapid an easy way to bind
grain that | know of, and is very simple
when you once learn it.
Grain should not be bound up Immediate
ly after the cradle, unless it is very ripe.
The bundle will shrink and slide out of the
bands in handling, if it istaken up too green.
As to the number of acres a man can cut in
a day depends upon the crop, and the lay of
the land. | once cut five acres of heavy
stout rye, In ten hours. | do not say | can
do it now.
| do not know that | have been explicit
enough SO that any one can get it, from my
description. If nos come and see me, and
| will show you in ten minutes. Those who
already know please not make fun of this.
There is something in it worth knowing.
One who knows how can do twice as much of
this kind of work in a day, and do it better
than any land | have been able to hire since
| came to North Carolina. | have not time
to tell how to NOV in this letter. Moving [
think is harder work than ciadling. This we
will talk about IN another article.
c. b. FAIRCHILD.
RALEIGH, n. c., June 23rd.