[Ger-Poland-Volhynia] G-R farm machinery

[Paul Rakow]

    This query fits nicely with the discussion we've been having about
 phonetics. I saw Lloyd's photo on another list, which didn't cut it out. 

   Your HEXAL machine is a H"ackselschneider, a H"acksel-cutter. 
 
   Whoever suggested it was a hexal machine had the the sound almost
 perfect, H"acksel (with a-umlaut) sounds just like hexal. 

    H"acksel is the German word for straw or green plants chopped short
 to make fodder for cattle, the word has the same roots as the English 
 word hack. 

   Last year I read a report, written in 1784, about one of my ancestral
 villages in Pommern. This said "The buildings in the village are in fair
 condition, except for the roofs. This Spring, because of the shortage of
 fodder, the villagers pulled down their thatched roofs to make H"acksel 
 to feed the animals." 

      Farming could be a tough life. 

           Paul Rakow 
           rakow at ifh.de 
 
 "Lloyd Friedrick" <lloydfriedrick at telus.net> wrote:
> 
> Here is a picture of a farm implement from our Sask. G-R farm.
> 
> I think I posted this query once before and someone suggested that the
> proper name was a HEXAL machine. It was used to cut straw or 'greenfeed"
> into very short lengths. The handle is missing, but it required a young 
> farm boy to turn it.
> 
> But, some of my older GR farm cousins remind me that I am in error, they
> say the correct name is a DREXAL cutter.
> 
> Does anyone remember this and could someone help to confirm the actual name.
> 
> I have other picture views if anyone would like to study it further.
> 
> lloyd friedrick on Vancouver Island
> 
> ------------------------------