The Scything Handbook · Learn How to Cut Grass, Mow Meadows, and Harvest Grain With a Scythe by Miller, Ian -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents Foreword Introduction CHAPTER 1 – How Scything Will Change Your Life

What Will I Use My Scythe For?

CHAPTER 2 – Scythe and How to Use It

Scythe Assembly Safety The Mowing Stroke Mowing Drip-line Mulching

CHAPTER 3 – Getting the Best From Your Body

Alexander Technique Meditation Meditation Exercise

CHAPTER 4 – Getting the Best From Your Scythe

Optimizing the Hafting Angle The Meeting of Scythe and Grass

CHAPTER 5 – Blade Care: Honing to Perfection

When to Hone Using the Right Whetstone Whetstones, Natural and Artificial Honing Technique

CHAPTER 6 – Blade Care: The Peening Process

When to Peen Preparing the Blade Hammers, Anvils and Jigs Getting Set Up How to Peen Troubleshooting Different Blades and Edges for Different Jobs Repairing Nicks

CHAPTER 7 – Forging of a Scythe Blade

Early Scythes Steel Charcoal Charcoal Production A Tour of a Pre-industrial Scythe Works

CHAPTER 8 – Making Hay and Using Drying Racks

Hay-making by Hand Continuous Hay-making with Drying Racks Loading a Cart with Hay Nutrient Loss when Drying Hay on the Ground Advantages of Drying on Hay Racks Comparison of Curing Methods Hay Rack Designs Which Method to Use When to Begin Hay-making Grass Growth and the S-Curve Making the Best Ground-cured Hay Getting the Most Out of Hay Racks

CHAPTER 9 – Growing and Harvesting Small Grains

What to Grow? Grow Your Own Porridge? Growing for Thatch Dealing with Weeds Preparing a Seedbed Small-scale Seed Sowing Harvesting Curing Directly Harvesting with Livestock Threshing and Winnowing Storage Processing How to Make Sourdough Bread

Afterword Further Information and Resources

Suggested Reading and Bibliography Resources & Supplies

Index Acknowledgments About the Author A Note About the Publisher