From ancient times, one of the main places in the life of mankind is agriculture. From year to year, with the arrival of spring, the villagers went out to the fields to prepare and sow the plowed land with grain. After some three or four months, the already ripened ears had to be gathered into sheaves. So what is it and what role has it played in the history of agriculture?
Spikelet to spikelet
The way the harvest was harvested depended on how the winter would go. After all, not only people needed food, but also animals. The resulting grain was ground into flour, and the straw was fed to livestock.
First of all, the meaning of the word "sheaf" should be considered from the point of view of agriculture, where a bunch of ears of grain, bunches of flax or other cereals is called that way. It looks like a bundle of grasses of different diameters intertwined with stems or a rope.
Depending on the period of harvest (sunny or rainy weather), in order to reduce the loss of sprinkled grain, mowed cereals were stacked in sheaves or stacks. In this way, the peasants reduced the amount of rotten millet during the storage period.
The plants whose seeds were also tied into sheavesit was necessary to prepare for the next year.
Sheaves counted the amount of the harvest. In some provinces, from sixty to one hundred sheaves went to one mowing. In this way, the part that had to be paid in taxes was measured.
A place in history
In the symbols of various countries, you can find the mention of sheaves. What is it and what does it matter?
The head of ears collected first in the field has always been revered. It was decorated with ribbons and placed in the "red" corner of the house. It was believed that the longer this sheaf lasted, the more fruitful and successful the next year would be.
Sheaves of ears of corn were also depicted on the coats of arms of numerous cities, regions, countries, as well as aristocratic families. Speaking of heraldry, I would like to note that a sheaf is such a way to show neighbors and spiteful critics who is richer. After all, golden ears full of grains are a symbol of we alth, stability and respect.
A million scarlet roses
The word "sheaf" is often used in the meaning of "big", "huge". It is applicable for the most part to armfuls of field, wild herbs. I would like to note that "sheaf" is a word that is more often used in youth slang than in its correct, original version.
In addition, you can often hear the phrase "sheaf of sparks", "sheaf of fire." We are talking about a stream of light, fire, sparks flying out of one place. It is most often applied in this context to fireworks, welding, and sunbeams.
