51/593

Barley fork listed used either for collecting mown barley into sheaves in the harvest field, or for stirring up sprouting grain in the malt house.
This barley fork is one of a pair, of which one is listed in Lavinia Smith's catalogue as being over 100 years old (in the 1940s). This three-pronged fork was used either for collecting mown barley into sheaves in the harvest field, or for stirring up sprouting grain in the malt house.

1 barley fork: metal; wood; good condition

MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This barley fork is one of a pair collected by Miss Smith from an unknown source. She states in her catalogue that one of the two is over 100 years old. // This three-pronged pike was used either for collecting mown barley into sheaves in the harvest field, or for stirring up sprouting grain in the malt house. It consists of a wooden turned handle, 4 feet 7 inches in length and an iron head with two prongs 20 inches long fitted into the top of the handle, and a third 14 inches long fitted to the handle 1 inch below the top by a ring of metal 1.5 inches long. // See also 51/3. The other fork in the pair is 51/594L.', Lavinia Smith No. 393., Lavinia Smith Catalogue (D60/28) - 'A list of the contents of the East Hendred museum. July 5 1940 // 393-394. Two barley forks, one about 100 years old'

Wood, Metal

Rippon, Miss Dorothy May Lyddon (Agent)