The Art of Cutting Hay By Hand

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The proper method cutting hay by hand: stand with your legs apart and knees slightly bent.
The proper method cutting hay by hand: stand with your legs apart and knees slightly bent.
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Three ropes tied around the width and a fourth wrapped lengthwise hold together each 70- to 90-pound bate of sun-dried hay.
Three ropes tied around the width and a fourth wrapped lengthwise hold together each 70- to 90-pound bate of sun-dried hay.
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Swing your scythe and torso from right to left, concentrating on a smooth, whole-body pivot.  
Swing your scythe and torso from right to left, concentrating on a smooth, whole-body pivot.  
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This
This "expert" will sharpen his scythe blade every hour, using a rounded anvil and ball-peen hammer to beat the metal outward till it's thin and sharp.
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When making your own hay tool, whittle your teeth (for the rake!) down and fit them tightly into pre-drilled holes in the head. Secure each prong with a nail.
When making your own hay tool, whittle your teeth (for the rake!) down and fit them tightly into pre-drilled holes in the head. Secure each prong with a nail.
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Diagram shows the dimensions of a hay toggle and method of securing it to a bundling rope.
Diagram shows the dimensions of a hay toggle and method of securing it to a bundling rope.
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Off you go although a pickup truck would've made this job a heck of a lot easier.
Off you go although a pickup truck would've made this job a heck of a lot easier.
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Diagram shows the dimensions of a scythe anvil.
Diagram shows the dimensions of a scythe anvil.
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Diagram shows method of tying a hay bale.
Diagram shows method of tying a hay bale.

In my village in the French Alps–as well as in many
other parts of the world–hay is still harvested by
hand. There are two good reasons why this ancient
skill has survived. For one thing, our meadows–on
steep, terraced slopes–are accessible only by

  • Published on May 1, 1979
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