The operation of thrashing, performed for ages by means of the
“flail”--two sticks tied together and wielded by the hands,
inflicting heavy blows on the bundle of corn spread on the
thrashing-floor, so as to separate the grains from the ear--is now
being rapidly superseded by the thrashing-machine. It is a sort of
box having a cylinder inside with an iron wheel at each end united by
bars of iron; this wheel revolves by steam, causing the bars to fall
upon the corn with a gliding motion, thrashing out the grain, which
falls through and is received below.