S T R A V A G A N Z A: DAILY LIFE IN THE EARLY AMERICAN ...
Americans could “mow four acres of oats, wheat, rye, or barley in a day,” marveled one observer, possibly with some exaggeration.5 Harvesting with a cradle was physically demanding but relatively fast, allowing a strong and experienced reaper to cut twice as much acreage in the same amount of time as someone wielding a sickle.Cradles, undergoing various improvements in design, would ...