Section II. Thatchers Instruments.
The Instruments of a Thatcher or House Coverer, with Straw, Rushes, Fern, or Gorst: being not cut in the plate. 9. before the chapter (wherein they were to be) was wholly and clearely printed off. I could not therefore speak of them there, but shall doe it, at the end of this chapter referring you to the plates where you may see them. [The images are cross-referenced to Chapter 9]
Prong
A prong. see ca.9. num.149. It is thus drawn by the Germans but our English make it according to the figure in 157. as in the following discourse of the other prong [below].
Thatchers knave
A ---- or Thatchers Knave, see ca.9. numb,149. This is for the workman to lay his Thatch, or drawn straw in; and to hang it on the Laths by him to take it by parcells as he works, or layes it with thatch pricks vpon the roofe.
Crommer
A Crommer. This much resemble a Gardiners dibble, but is much larger, the fork part being Iron, the top like a spade handle set into the socked of the fork. With this straw is thrust vp between the Laths and soe made secure from coming out with windings. Se the figure in Ca.9. n.131[recte 151].
Rake
A Rake, this is like the top of a Rake, a peece of wood set with long Iron teeth, as the figure sheweth, cha. 9. num.131[recte 151]. With this the workman combeth or rakes down all the loose straw which is not held fast vpon the Hongrells, or spars, with the windings, or thatch pricks.
Scythe
A syth or cutting Knife. This is the blade of an old syth set in an handle; With this the Ragged or vneven skirts of the Eves of the house are cut smooth and even.
[Probably the image in the top right corner of chapter 9. no. 151].
Cradle for a scythe
A cradle for a syth. see ca.9. numb. 131[recte 151]. This Instrument the Mower useth to fix on the Back of his syth, to cut or Mowe down corn, when the straw is so short, that a Reaper cannot conveniently cut it down with his sickle. In some countreys it [is] much used. let their Barley corn be long or short, and so for other Graine.
Prong
A Prong made after an other maner then what was a little before mentioned, which you may se Cap 9. numb.157 which compared with numb:149. shews the hooks to be contrary one to the other, though their use was for one and the same kind of work, but this the more usefull: which is to mixt haire and Lyme together to make plaster, or straw and clay together for the tyreing of the inside of thatched houses: or daubing of Radling walls, with clamstaves, and Rods, windings, are used to make vp the pennes (?) of walls in Wood houses. Se ca.5. numb.142b. 171c [171b perhaps intended].
Also with such an Instrument as this, with a short handle and more hook teeth: the Thatchers Rake off, or vncouer old thatched houses, when they are to coate them anew, or lay a new course on the old.
Slaters trough
A slaters Trough. With in it they lay their Morter, which is hung upon the Laths of the house, by the workman: to supply him with Morter as he hath occasion to use the same. Se the figure, ca.9. n.150.
Also the Thatcher makes use of such an Instrument some tymes to carry his clay in, to the top of the house, or dorment ends; and other occasions.
Related text(s) Thatchers terms
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