Sickles, Hooks, and Scythes in Ireland

REFERENCES

• English evidence has been particularly closely documented by E. J. T. Collins, 'Harvest technology and labour supply in Britain, 1780-1890', Economic History Review (2nd series) Vol. 22 (1969), and J. A. Perkins, 'Harvest technology and labour supply in Lincolnshire and the East Riding oeYorkshire 1750-80', Tools and Tillage, Vol. 3 (1977).
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• K. D. White, Agricultural implements of the Roman world (Cambridge, 1967), p. 99.
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• M. Doyle, A cyclopedia ofpractical husbandry, 2nd ed. (London, 1844), p. 501.
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• K. D. White, op. cit., p. 80.
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• Early archaeological evidence for the use of reaping hooks in Ireland is well summarised by Frank Mitchell, The Irish landscape (London, 1976), p. 152.
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• M. Duignan, 'Irish agriculture in early historic times', Journal of the Royal Society of Antiquaries in Ireland, Vol. 74 (1944), 140.
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• P. W. Joyce, A social history of ancient Ireland (Dublin, 1913), Vol. n, 274.
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• Royal Irish Academy, Dictionary of the Irish language (Dublin, 1913–76), Vol. I, p. 485.
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• Pairlement Chloinne Tomais, O. J. Bergin, Gadelica (Dublin, 1912), p. 43.
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• The dominance of the toothed sickle in Ireland throws doubt on the validity of White's claim that serrated sickles predominate in drier regions such as the Mediterranean and Sahara because scythes and smooth-bladed hooks work most efficiently when dew is on the standing crop. Other factors must-also be taken into account. K. D. White, op. cit., p. 80.
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• M. Doyle, op. cit., p. 492.
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• Stephen's book of the farm (Edinburgh, 1871), p. 107. Hooks were sometimes sharpened with a small leather strap carried by the reaper.
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• J. C. Loudon, An encyclopaedia of agriculture, 2nd ed. (London, 1831), p. 373.
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• E. E. Evans, Irish heritage (Dundalk, 5949), p. 101.
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• M. MacGowan, The hard road to the Klondike, translated by V. Iremonger (London, 1973), p. 4.
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• E. E. Evans, op. cit., 13). 151.
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• Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, British husbandry (London, 1877), Vol. II, 188.
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• J. C. Loudon, op. cit., p. 373.
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• E. J. T. Collins, op. cit., p. 456.
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• W. Tighe, Statistical observations relative to the county of Kilkenny (Dublin, 1802), p. 213.
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• M. Doyle, op. cit., p. 493.
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• Francis Davis, 'Low and clean', in Earlier and later leaves (Belfast, 1878), p. 270.
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• E. J. T. Collins, Sickle to combine (Reading, 1969); p. 19.
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• M. J. Murphy, 'The mower from Moygannon, Ulster Folklif e, Vol. 12 (1966), 108. The 'Irish acre' of the nineteenth century was larger than the Imperial acre. i Irish acre = I acre 2 rods 19 perches and 51/4 yards (Imperial).
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• W. Tighe, op. cit., p. 213.
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• T. F. O'Rahilly, 'Etymological notes, 2', Scottish Gaelic Studies, Vol. 2 (1927), 26.
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• One of the clearest references to use of a scythe is from the year 1333. Padraig Lane, Ireland (London, 1974), p. 18.
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• G. B. Adams, 'Work and words for hay-making', Ulster Folklife, VOL 12 (1966), 66.
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• Arthur Young, A tour in Ireland (Dublin, 1800), Vol. 1, p. 51.
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• Ibid, p. 72. See also 'An Spealadoir' by Owen Rua 6 Sfiileabhdin, in Songs of the Irish (Dublin, 1960), p. 134..
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• Ibid, p. 57.
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• Ordnance Survey Memoirs: Co. Londonderry (Dublin, 1837), Vol. 1, p. 276.
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• E. E. Evans, op. cit., p. 'or. A clear photograph of a 'whin-scythe' being used can be seen in An Muircheartach (Dublin, 1970), plate 72.
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• W. Tighe, op. cit., p. 214–
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• M. J. Murphy, op. cit., p. 108.
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• J. A. Perkins, op. cit., p. 128.
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• A. O Suileabhiin, Ginnlae Amhlaiobh UI Shaileabhciin part 3, translated by M. McGrath. Irish Texts Society, Vol. 32. (London, 1930 (1936)), p. 66.
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• Commissioners of National Education, Agricultural classbook (Dublin, 1868), p. 155.
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• E. E. Evans, Irish folkways (London, 1957 (1961)), p. 56.
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• Patrick S. Dineen, Focloir Gaedhilge agus Béarla (Dublin, 1927), p. 1095.
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• W. Tyzack and Sons and Turner Ltd. Catalogue (Sheffield, 1921), A4—A5.
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• E. E. Evans, op. cit. p. 156.
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• H. Dutton, Statistical survey of the county of Clare (Dublin, 1808), p. 14. J. Dubourdieu, Statistical survey of the county of Antrim (Dublin, 1812), pp. 14, 26.
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• Arthur Young, op. cit., p. 219.
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• A. O Sdileabhiin, op. cit., p. 129.
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• Ibid, p. 168.
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• E. Burroughs, The Irish farmers' calendar (Dublin, 1835), p.216.
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• Ibid, p. 265.
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• J. A. Perkins, op. cit., p. 130.
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• A. O Stfileabhiin, op. cit., p. 65.
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• M. J. Murphy, op. cit., p.180.
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• A. Fenton, Scottish country life (Edinburgh, 1976), p. 59.
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• J. A. Perkins, op. cit., p. 127.
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• M. Doyle, op. cit., p. 155.
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• Ibid, p. 55.
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• E. J. T. Collins, op. cit., p. 7.
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