Hi Everyone, Oh dear, I made a typo myself! I meant to write "giggle". Apologies to all for my carelessness! Thankyou Betty, for an evocative description of the threshing---and the fate of the rats, mice and any other small creatures trapped during this operation. The chase with the sticks, the snapping and excitement of the dogs------the scene comes to life. As a small city-dwelling child I didn't have any practical experience of cutting, stooking or threshing corn. But now I do know a little more about the steam engines that powered the threshing machines. Here in Marlborough, we have some beautifully restored examples at Brayshaw Park, where there is a fine collection of agricultural machinery. The huffing, puffing "beasts" emerge from time to time to grace Agricultural Shows and School Galas. The province was a chief producer of animal feed, when the horse was "king". There is such beauty in those "beasts'. Their polished rounded boilers, and rods and pistons where all can see and huge wheels! So satisfying to draw! I once sat with a group of small children, similarly enthralled, and armed with paper and wax crayons. They were engrossed, and did a fine job. I hope that they retained their interest and enthusiasm. I said "shiny " when describing their pristine appearance now, but can well imagine Betty's scene when they were hard at work. Paintwork dulled and chipped, smoke issuing from their funnels and smuts flying in the smokey haze as the hardworking engines worked so tirelessly. Thankyou for the memory! Regards, Muriel.