Page:The Swiss Family Robinson (Kingston).djvu/431

Rh hurry about the manioc, and digging potatoes in this fine light soil is easy work compared to what it is in Switzerland, while as to planting more, that will not be necessary if we leave the younger plants in the ground. The harvest we must conduct after the Italian fashion, which, although anything but economical, will save time and trouble, and as we are to have two crops in the year, we need not be too particular.”

Without further delay, I commenced levelling a large space of firm clayey ground to act as a threshing floor; it was well sprinkled with water, rolled, beaten, and stamped; as the sun dried the moisture it was watered anew, and the treatment continued until it became as flat, hard, and smooth, as threshing-floor need be.

Our largest wicker basket was then slung between Storm and Grumble; we armed ourselves with reaping-hooks, and went forth to gather in the corn in the simplest and most expeditious manner imaginable.

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 round 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; afterwards, allowing the grass to grow up amongst it, they mow all