Object number
51/391
Description
This is a three pronged barley fork made of ash. It was used for 'pooking' - turning over mown barley as it lay in 'windrows' (rows). It was 'cultured' in the hedgerow with a young ash sapling being trained into the desired trident shape, a process that would have taken about ten years.
Physical description
1 barley fork: wood (ash wood); good condition
Archival history
MERL 'Catalogue index' card – 'This ash-wood barley fork was used for ‘pooking’ or turning over mown barley as it lay in windrows. It is at least 100 years old, fashioned in the days before iron was used to any great extent. Of interest is the fact that it was ‘cultured’ in the hedgerow, a young sapling being trained into the desired trident; and this process took about ten years. // It was presented by Mr. Dudley to whom it was given by the late Mr. W. D. Hollis, who stated that it had been found in the rafters of an old Hampshire barn. (accession form original said presumably Hampshire).'
Production date
1800-01-01 - 1824-12-31
Production period
Early-nineteenth century
Object name
Material
Associated subject
External document
- L:\MERL\Objects\JISC 2012\35 series negatives\Scans\35_501.tif - High resolution image
