Page:Pearl of Asia (Child JT, 1892).pdf/342

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The Pearl of Asia.
313

clods it breaks up are tuned over by it. It does its work very imperfectly at the best.

The natives plough in the same way as we do in Amcrica, going round and round a part of the lot or the whole, if it be but small, until it is all cut up. The teams always have rope reins fastened to their nostrils, and these the ploughmen take in their left hand while they hold the plough with the other.

The harrow is simply a large wooden rake, consisting of a rounded stick of tough wood 3 inches in diameter, having 10 or 12 teeth. It has a hoop shape handle for the convenience of lifting it up to shake off grass and stubble that get entangled in its teeth, and for bearing down to give it more execution when needed. Its tongue is made of two small bamboos and extends far enough ahead to admit of tying to it the cords from the nostrils of the oxen and foroing them to hold up their heads. The pitch-fork used in handling rice and gruss has but one prong, yet they get along rapidly with it. Amcrican hatchets, hoes and axes are coming into use and find ready sale in the bazars.