Soc. To be sure, I know that much at any rate.
Isch. Well, then, the next point: in the act of cutting corn how will you choose to stand? facing the way the wind blows, (1) or against the wind?
(1) Lit. "(on the side) where the wind blows or right opposite."
Soc. Not against the wind, for my part. Eyes and hands must suffer, I imagine, if one stood reaping face to face with husks and particles of straw. (2)
(2) i.e. "with particles of straw and beards of corn blowing in one's
face."
Isch. And should you merely sever the ears at top, or reap close to the ground? (3)
(3) See Holden ad loc.; Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, "Husbandry," 27 (ed.
1767), "In Somersetshire... they do share theyr wheate very
lowe...."
If the stalk of corn were short (I answered), I should cut down close, to secure a sufficient length of straw to be of use. But if the stalk be tall, you would do right, I hold, to cut it half-way down, whereby the thresher and the winnower will be saved some extra labour (which both may well be spared). (4) The stalk left standing in the field, when burnt down (as burnt it will be, I presume), will help to benefit the soil; (5) and laid on as manure, will serve to swell the volume of manure. (6)
(4) Lit. "will be spared superfluous labour on what they do not want."
(5) Al. "if burnt down...; if laid on as manure..."
(6) "Help to swell the bulk" (Holden). For the custom see Virg.
"Georg." i. 84; J. Tull, op. cit. ix. 141: "The custom of burning
the stubble on the rich plains about Rome continues to this time."
Isch. There, Socrates, you are detected "in the very act"; you know as much about reaping as I do myself.