Page:A Study of Mexico.djvu/136

126 twenty miles—remembering these things, one can readily accept the statement that, in many sections of Mexico, no effort is made to produce anything in the way of crop products, except what has been found necessary to meet the simplest wants of the producers; and for the reason that experience has proved to them that it was not possible to obtain anything in exchange for their surplus.

The plow generally in use in Mexico is a crooked stick, with sometimes an iron point; the yoke being lashed with rawhide thongs to the horns of the oxen which draw the prehistoric implement. American plows are beginning to be introduced to a considerable extent; but the Mexican peasant on coming into possession of one, generally cuts off one handle, in order to make it conform, as far as he can, to his ancient implement; and in recognition of this peculiarity of habit, an Illinois firm has recently introduced a form of plow with one handle! A bundle of brush constitutes the harrow. "Their hoes are heavy grub-hoes, and grass is cut by digging it up with such a hoe." "The sickle is of the conventional type of the time of the patriarchs, but, instead of having a sharp edge, it is provided with saw-teeth, and is used in gathering small grain, the employment