A bill-hook is an agricultural implement consisting of a thick, heavy knife with a hooked end, useful for chopping off small branches of trees or cutting apart entangled vines or roots. Research Bill-Hook
The hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes) is a species of grodsbeak. It is one of the largest of the finches. It resembles the Chaffinch in colour, but is distinguished by its enormous beak, larger size, and bill-hookformation of some of its wing feathers. It feeds on all kinds of berries and is found throughout Britain. Research Hawfinch
A bill was a species of halberd, consisting of a broad blade, with the cutting part hooked like a woodsman's bill-hook, and with a spike both at the back and at the top. It was mounted on a staff about six feet long, and was known as a 'black bill' from the colour of the varnish used to protect it from rust, and was largely used by infantry soldiers. In 1584, one quarter of the soldiers sent to the Irish wars were ordered to be furnished with 'good Black Bills', and the armaments of the Mary Rose consisted of as many bills as arquebuses. They were later carried by sheriff's officers attending executions and finally by watchmen, still being used by watchmen in 1778.
Thatching is a method of roofing used to protect buildings and bricks. The material most commonly used is straw, but bracken, gorse, heather and reeds may serve a similar purpose. Of the straws the best for thatching purposes are those of wheat and rye. Oat and barley straw being softer in texture are liable to absorb water. Reeds, however, are superior as a thatch to any straw. A reedthatch, properly made, will last for fifty years without the need for repair, while a straw thatch will last about thirty years. Heather thatching will last a hundred years, but is much heavier than straw or reeds, and as such can only be used on stronger roofs.
The thatcher's equipment consists of a bill-hook, a paring knife, a large forked stick to contain the drawn straw, and a wooden rake with iron teeth. The thatcher also requires a supply of tarred cord and wooden pegs of split hazel or willow. The straw to be used for thatching is first well moistened, then the heap is turned with a fork and afterwards lightly trodden to firm it. The thatcher draws his straw from the bottom of the heap, taking it by the double handfuls. The drawn straws are usually called yealms, and this work of drawing was traditionally done by the assistant or server. The straw being made into a bundle in which the individual straws lie fairly straight, the thatcher puts the bundle in place. Thatching begins at the bottom of the roof closest to the eaves and continues upwards, each successive course being secured with pegs and twine. In southern England split hazel pegs were traditionally used in place of twine. Upon reaching the top, the straw is laid well up to form a point, and give a good pitch. Often it is necessary to use bundles of tightly-tied straw to bolster up the ridge. Research Thatching
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Bill-Hook
