Week 36
Right now, my land is harbouring plenty of fallen white petals, thanks to several Eucryphia[i],[ii] that are shedding their load. I call it the Eucryphia snowstorm. Meanwhile there is a Japanese anemone[iii],[iv], again white, that is still thriving in its partial shade. My renaturing year started with the white of snowdrops, but now it is autumn and, once again, the colour white appears to dominate. This said, the bright orange of corn marigold[v] is still going strong, as is the purple of lavender[vi], but the technicolour year is ending.
Meanwhile bumblebees are still seeking nectar, and I watch the lavender bouncing as they fly from flower to flower. Alongside them, the wasps are becoming angry and stinging plenty, including me. Normally it needs the first ground frost for them to die[vii], but with climate change upon us, the timing of Lakeland’s first frost is unpredictable. Certainly, global warming can affect frost[viii]. I have been stung multiple times by my wasps although thankfully there are several natural remedies on my land to help me. Top of my list is plantain[ix], where I pluck a few leaves, chew some, and place the others as a poultice on the sting. The effect is wonderful. Lavender, or yarrow[x], too, when rubbed directly onto the sting, are remarkably effective.
Autumn (fall)[xi] officially begins on 23 September, when following the astronomical calendar, although the season’s dates vary, depending on whether the astronomical or meteorological calendar is used. For the meteorological calendar, autumn starts on 1 September. The astronomical calendar is based on the position of the Sun relative to the Earth, as our poisoned planet is tilted by 23.5° in relation to its orbit around the Sun. The meteorological calendar divides the seasons into four three-month periods. Autumn is September/October/November, winter is December/January/February, spring is March/April/May and summer is June/July/August[xii]. No wonder I am confused.
I like autumn, as it is when some of the best colours of the year can appear, and my renatured land looks picture-perfect. One of the best-known lines in English poetry was written by John Keats (1795-1821) in his ode To Autumn, with its opening line:
“Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness”[xiii]
How perceptive he was, although one can but wonder how Keats might have recorded the effects of climate change.
Autumn is when the trees prepare for winter and the days become shorter[xiv]. It is also a season when those who are autumn-born can live longer, according to the Journal of Aging Research[xv]. There is not much hope for me, as I appeared in mid-spring.
With autumn’s arrival, it will shortly be time to start scything, which I should really call “mowing”. To use a scythe is excellent exercise. It has been calculated that 30 minutes of scything long grass can expend 239kcal and that the acceleration of a scythe is about ten times that of a Ferrari. Easy work in a garden needs up to 150 kcal/hr[xvi], so scything is far more physical. However, the real attraction to me is that I find it impossible to think of anything other than mowing when a scythe is in my hand. It is a complete escape from the world and its worries.
In times past, meadows would be filled with long rows of scythe-wielding mowers, although it is now a skill in danger of extinction. The English scythe was once widely used but is now being usurped by that from Austria. Upwards of 1500 new Austrian scythes are purchased annually, somewhere in the UK. Although that may seem a large number, compare this figure with the year 1900, when Austria forged 12 million scythes annually. Of the 250 forges that were then in operation, only two now still exist[xvii].
The scythe has been used since Roman times and was speedier than the smaller and shorter sickle, which required the user to bend down. In Lakeland, the sickle was used for a longer period than in other areas of the UK, largely because it was the tool favoured by itinerant Irish workers who would follow the harvest to Cumbria. However, once the scythe became established in the 1850s, by 1902 it was found that a worker could cut up to two acres daily and receive what was then a large salary - £7/month[xviii]. Traditionally, a scythe was man’s work while the wooden hay rake was for the ladies. How times have changed, as these days I know many more lady than gentleman scythers.
A common song said to have been popularised by scythers, and that I frequently hum as I scythe, is One Man Went to Mow. There is a rhythm to it that keeps me going and I have frequently imagined it being sung by cohorts of mowers as they scythed a multi-acre field. The song is also widely used when teaching children, as a good way of encouraging teamwork[xix]. I have become less enthusiastic about humming the song since I have learned it may once have been a naughty rhyme. I am unsure if I believe that, but it has certainly set me thinking. Look it up if you are concerned[xx].
The scythe comes with its own language, some of which has made its way into popular speech. A blade has a toe (tip)[xxi], heel[xxii], rib[xxiii], edge[xxiv], belly[xxv], tang (tongue)[xxvi], bevel[xxvii], beard[xxviii], faces[xxix], and lug[xxx]. The long, wooden portion is the snath[xxxi] and is set up specifically for the mower. Scythers (mowers) would no more lend a snath to another person than donate a kidney. When a scyther is mowing, the standing and uncut grass is called the sward, while the area of cut grass is the swath, the pile of cut grass to the left of the mower is a windrow, while the depth of cut is how far forward into the sward the cut is made with each swing of the scythe. All of this, and more, is in Steve Tomlin’s brilliant book, Learn to Scythe[xxxii]. Steve taught me, is charming and efficient, and his small book told me all I needed to know.
There are different types of scythe, although the general debate in Europe is between English and Austrian designs. There are key differences.
The English scythe traditionally has a wider, heavier blade made from thicker steel. Its shape is less curved, and almost rectangular. In its prime, this type of blade was more suitable for the long, straight grasses and crops of the English meadows. The heft (weight) of the blade meant that much of the cutting power came from the scythe’s weight. The English scythe is much less used today.
Meanwhile, the Austrian, or continental scythe, has a thinner, lighter blade that is more curved. It is forged from a single piece of steel, and often hammered by hand to achieve a razor-sharp edge. The lighter blade requires more skill to use, as the mower relies on technique rather than the blade's weight to cut. This design is especially effective in varied terrains, such as mountainous regions.
There is a weight difference, too. A standard 75cms Austrian blade on its wooden snath weighs approximately 1735g. The equivalent English blade on its wooden snath weighs approximately 3015g[xxxiii].
The snath of an English scythe is usually straighter and tailored to be used with the heavier English blade. It facilitates a mowing action driven by the blade's weight and the scyther’s momentum. In contrast, the snath of the Austrian scythe is ergonomically designed, with two adjustable grips. These help to optimally position the scyther’s hands and promote a more efficient and less tiring mowing action.
An English scythe's thicker blade typically requires more frequent sharpening, using stones or a file. Because of the blade's robust nature, it can endure rougher sharpening practices. The Austrian scythe blade, being thinner and more delicate, requires regular peening (hammering) to maintain a razor-sharp edge. This involves periodically hammering the edge on a special anvil or jig, followed by honing (sharpening) with a whetstone. The process requires more skill but results in a sharper blade that slices through grass with ease.
When in use, the English scythe, given its weight, is often used with a chopping or hacking motion, where the momentum and weight of the blade play a significant role in the cutting process. The Austrian scythe relies on a sweeping motion, almost like a dance, leveraging the blade's sharpness. The mower slices through grass rather than hacking, making the process smoother and more efficient, especially in varied terrains.
Is scything worth the effort? I think so. Renaturing is different to rewilding and is not merely about letting land run wild but involves strategic management to facilitate and maintain biodiversity and ecological balance. The Austrian scythe is one such management tool and is both efficient and eco-friendly. As with most things, there are advantages and disadvantages. Its advantages include its ability to enable selective cutting, which is crucial for lands where specific invasive or dominating species might need control[xxxiv]. It has a low ecological footprint as its use does not release any greenhouse gases[xxxv], it is relatively cheap as the cost of upkeep is minimal[xxxvi], it promotes community involvement[xxxvii], and encourages physical health and mental well-being[xxxviii].
Sadly, there are also disadvantages. The Austrian scythe is labour-intensive[xxxix], has a lengthy learning curve[xl], and may be limited to only certain terrains because thick and woody vegetation can pose challenges[xli]. The blade also needs regular honing. Indeed, as much time should be spent honing as mowing, while peening should be performed at least every eight hours of scything. The scythe is not designed for large, commercial operations and is better suited for smaller plots or community-driven initiatives[xlii].
Then there are the frogs[xliii]. Dear me, are they a problem. I have lost count of the number of near misses I have had with frogs when I scythe my land. Fortunately, the frogs are low on the ground and my scythe slightly higher, but on occasion I have had a mishap and the frog has sadly lost. In autumn, amphibians such as toads, frogs and newts will seek out secluded places to spend the colder months. They will often enter gardens and find their way into piles of leaves, loose soil, areas of long grass and other dense scrub or vegetation[xliv]. Frogs adore my long grass...until I start scything. If I was to fault scything at all, it would be my fear of annihilating frogs.
Frogs apart, despite my attraction to the scythe on my renatured land, the tool has not always been confined to use in peacetime. For many years it was also a weapon of war, and with a fascinating history.
Its most iconic use in warfare traces back to ancient civilisations, with the design of the scythed chariot[xlv]. These featured sharp, horizontally extended blades on both sides. Some designs even incorporated additional blades projecting at different angles to inflict maximum damage. Deployed primarily to break enemy lines and spread chaos, the chariots' blades would maim foot soldiers as the vehicle sped through enemy ranks[xlvi]. Historical accounts cite the Persians, Greeks, and certain Indian kingdoms as users of scythed chariots in their military campaigns[xlvii].
The scythe also found its way into the hands of peasant militias during uprisings in medieval Europe. These events often saw farmers and common folk repurposing their everyday tools into weapons. With limited access to traditional weapons, peasants would modify their scythes to be more combat-ready. The blade would be adjusted to stand upright from the shaft, resembling a polearm or halberd[xlviii]. For example, the German Peasants' War in the 16th century, and several local revolts across medieval Europe, saw the scythe being used as an improvised weapon[xlix].
The scythe had both advantages and disadvantages in warfare, Certainly, it had an increased reach and impact[l], was intimidating[li], as well as being both economical and accessible. In practice, the scythe had drawbacks. For example, experienced armies could dodge or disrupt the chariots, rendering them ineffective[lii], while the improvised nature of the peasant’s scythe lacked the precision and efficiency of a weapon designed solely for combat. Continual use of the scythe in battle could dull the blade, and its design was not optimised for the rigours of warfare, making it susceptible to breakage[liii].
However, the scythe’s transition from a farming tool to a weapon is a testament to human ingenuity in times of crisis and need. While it may not have dominated the annals of military history, its presence on the battlefield underscores the different ways in which everyday objects can shape history.
For me? There is nothing about warfare on my land, it is all about renaturing. Yet with scything, what a perfect way to forget the troubles of the world, take easy exercise, and leave little or no trace behind. I will stick with my Austrian scythe and keep swishing this way and that.
I will also keep one eye on plantain, lavender, and yarrow, for that inevitable wasp sting.
***
Acknowledgement
Take it from me - none of this would be possible without the help of RSG Horticulture. Rufus, who runs it, has far more energy than me and is full of ideas and skills. Do contact him through https://www.rsghorticulture.com.
Hashtags
References [i] Eucryphia. A small genus of trees and large shrubs native to the south temperate regions of South America and coastal eastern Australia, mainly Tasmania. Sometimes placed in a family of their own, the Eucryphiaceae, more recent classifications place them in the Cunoniaceae. There are seven species,[2] two in South America and five in Australia, and several named hybrids. They are mostly evergreen though one species (E. glutinosa) is usually deciduous. The generic name Eucryphia is composed of two parts, namely eu- and -cryphia. The Greek ευ-κρυφαιος means well-covered and refers to the foliage, which is clustered towards the apex of branches. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucryphia#Natural_hybrids. Accessed 31 August 2023. [ii] See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/143599/eucryphia/details. Accessed 31 August 2023. [iii] Japanese anemones. See https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/anemone/japanese. Accessed 31 August 2023. [iv] Gardenia. Pretty Japanese anemones for your garden. See https://www.gardenia.net/guide/pretty-japanese-anemones-for-your-garden#:~:text=Floating%20above%20the%20border%2C%20they,with%2030%20or%20more%20tepals. Accessed 31 August 2023. [v] See week 1 entry. [vi] See week 31 entry. [vii] Oxford City Council. See https://www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20100/pest_control_advice/136/pest_control_advice_-_wasps#:~:text=With%20the%20onset%20of%20cold,nest%20will%20rapidly%20die%20off. Accessed 2 September 2023. [viii] Marquis B, Bergeron Y, Houle D, et al. Variability in frost occurrence under climate change and consequent risk of damage to trees of western Quebec, Canada. Sci Rep 12, 7220 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-11105-y [ix] Plantago major. From the Garden: Natural Remedies for Bites and Stings. See https://www.eatingforyourhealth.org/content/garden-natural-remedies-bites-and-stings. Accessed 1 September 2023. [x] See week 30 entry. [xi] Autumn and fall are used interchangeably as words for the season between summer and winter. Both are used in American and British English but fall occurs more often in American English. Autumn is considered the more formal name for the season. See https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/autumn-vs-fall#:~:text=Both%20'autumn'%20and%20'fall,the%20Latin%20word%20came%20from.). Accessed 1 September 2023. [xii] Morris S, Davison T. When does autumn start in 2023 and what is the autumnal equinox? See https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/does-autumn-start-autumnal-equinox-145005711.html#:~:text=The%20meteorological%20seasons%20are%20defined,and%20ends%20on%20November%2030. Accessed 31 August 2023. [xiii] See https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44484/to-autumn. Accessed 2 September 2023. [xiv] Met Office. 8 interesting facts about autumn. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/learn-about/weather/seasons/autumn/autumn-facts. Accessed 31 August 2023. [xv] Gavrilov LA, Gavrilova NS. Season of Birth and Exceptional Longevity: Comparative Study of American Centenarians, Their Siblings, and Spouses. Journal of Aging Research, vol. 2011, Article ID 104616, 11 pages, 2011. https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/104616 [xvi] Elkement. Grim Reaper Does a Back-of-the-Envelope Calculation. 22 June 2014. Accessed 31 August 2023. [xvii] Austrian scythe forging. See https://www.unesco.at/en/culture/intangible-cultural-heritage/national-inventory/news-1/article/austrian-scythe-forging. Accessed 2 September 2023. [xviii] The Countryside Museum. Scythes (leys). See https://www.fellponymuseum.org.uk/country/haytime/haytime2.htm#:~:text=A%20man%20with%20a%20scythe,it%20dulled%20the%20blade%20faster. Accessed 31 August 2023. [xix] Barrett W. The Meaning Behind The Song: One Man Went to Mow by Justin Fletcher. 23 August 2023. See https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-one-man-went-to-mow-by-justin-fletcher/. Accessed 31 August 2023. [xx] Twins – One Man Went To Mow lyrics. See https://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/twins/one_man_went_to_mow.html. Accessed 31 August 2023. [xxi] The end of the edge closest to the tip. [xxii] The end of the edge closest to the tang. [xxiii] Opposite the edge, usually thicker steel to add rigidity to the blade. It also helps swing the grass across into the windrow during mowing. [xxiv] The bit that does the cutting. [xxv] The amount of curve in the blade from rib to edge. [xxvi] The angled strip of steel that connects the blade to the snath. [xxvii] The narrow area where the thickness of steel tapers to the edge. [xxviii] The width of the blade at the heel. [xxix] The top face is uppermost when mowing while the bottom face is in contact with the ground. [xxx] A small stub of steel on the tang that locates into the snath when the blade is attached. [xxxi] Word was first used in 1574 and is akin to Middle English snede (long scythe), from Old English snǣd (scythe handle). See https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/snath#:~:text=Word%20History,in%20the%20meaning%20defined%20above. Accessed 1 September 2023. [xxxii] See https://www.scythecymru.co.uk/product/book-learn-scythe-steve-tomlin/#:~:text=In%20the%20first%20book%20of,peening%20the%20blade%20and%20more. Accessed 1 September 2023. [xxxiii] The maintenance and use of Austrian scythe blades. See http://www.thescytheshop.co.uk/guide.html. Accessed 1 September 2023. [xxxiv] Neeson T M et al. Selective cutting: A novel approach for preserving biodiversity in rewilded landscapes. Journal of Applied Ecology. 2016 [xxxv] Francis C, Lieblein G, Gliessman S, Breland TA, Creamer N, Harwood R, Salomonsson L, Helenius J, Rickerl D, Salvador R, Wiedenhoeft M, Simmons S, Allen P, Altieri M, Flora C, Poincelot R. Agroecology: The Ecology of Food Systems, Journal of Sustainable Agriculture 2003, 22:3, 99-118, DOI: 10.1300/J064v22n03_10 [xxxvi] Seymour J. The Forgotten Arts: A practical guide to traditional skills. Publ Guild (1984). ISBN-13 978-0207150074 [xxxvii] Monbiot G. Feral: Rewilding the Land, the Sea, and Human Life. University of Chicago Press. 2013. [xxxviii] Peacock J, Holland M. The therapeutic and health benefits of manual labor in gardening and farming. Journal of Ecotherapy 2018 [xxxix] Jenkins T. Tools for Self-Sufficiency. Practical Action Publishing. 2012. [xl] Benjamin D. The Art and Craft of Scything. The Agricultural Historian's Journal. 2019. [xli] White S., Pett D. Challenges in reintroducing traditional agricultural systems. Agricultural and Environmental Informatics, Governance and Management. 2015. [xlii] Diaz S., et al. Large-scale agricultural practices: Impacts and alternatives. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. 2019. [xliii] See week 14 entry. [xliv] Froglife. Autumn advice for amphibians & reptiles. 30 October 2019. See https://www.froglife.org/2019/10/30/autumn-advice/#:~:text=Amphibians%2C%20such%20as%20common%20toads,other%20dense%20scrub%20or%20vegetation. Accessed 1 September 2023. [xlv] Diodorus Siculus. (1st century BC). Bibliotheca historica [xlvi] Warry J. Warfare in the Classical World. Salamander Books Ltd. 1998. [xlvii] Sekunda N. The Persian Army 560–330 BC. Osprey Publishing. 1992. [xlviii] Tallett F. War and Society in Early Modern Europe: 1495-1715. Routledge. 1997. [xlix] Blickle P. The Revolution of 1525: The German Peasants' War from a New Perspective. Johns Hopkins University Press. 1981. [l] Bradbury J. The Medieval Siege. Boydell & Brewer. 2004. [li] Goldsworthy AK. Ancient Warfare: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press. 1997. [lii] Arrian. Ars Tactica. 2nd century AD. [liii] Edge D, Paddock J. Arms & Armor of the Medieval Knight. Crescent Books. 1988.
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