_Meaning of "Harissers_."--It is customary in the county of Dorset,
after carrying a field of corn, to leave behind a sheaf, to intimate to
the rest of the parish that the families of those who reaped the field
are to have the first lease. After these gleaners have finished, the
sheaf is removed, and other parties are admitted, called "barissers." I
have been told that the real title is "arishers," from "arista." I
should feel obliged if any of your correspondents could inform me
whether this name is known in any other county, and what is the
derivation of the word.