Page:History of the German people at the close of the Middle Ages vol1.djvu/342

 330 HISTORY OF THE GERMAN PEOPLE The grain was left in the field long enough to allow the weeds bound with the sheaves to die, when it was borne in a waggon into the barnyard. Particular care was bestowed on the meadows in those days, when clover was not yet grown. In spring the meadow-master passed over the fields with his hoe and rake in order to level the molehills ; he was required to be very careful when the grass was sprouting, so as to prevent any damage to the crop, The hedges which surrounded the meadows were trimmed yearly. The harvesters were hired. If the hay became damp the service tenants were obliged to spread it out, rake it together, and put it in the stacks. It was the duty of the haymaster to see that this was all done, and that the meadow was raked clean. As to forest culture, which was so important an item, the woodcutting was regulated according to dif- ferent rules. In felling the willow only half the tree was cut down, in order that what was left might sprout anew and be fit for the ' six-year ' cutting. In cutting firewood, the parts of the tree destined for hop poles, vine stakes, cuttings and hedges, were laid in separate piles. The cuttings were placed in water until about to be planted. Beechwood was also felled after a set plan, the cutting taking place only after the expiration of a certain time. To each woodcutter a certain task was assigned, and it was the duty of the forester to see that his work was done with a sharp axe, that the branches were not lopped off, that the wood was laid in bundles containing a score, and that these were correctly counted. In order to insure the increase of wood each cutter was obliged to leave a certain quantity of his assigned share uncut. At the close