Thatching - Thatching is a craft carried on now almost as much as in former days, due no doubt to the belief that the thatched roof is much warmer.
The method of thatching has not changed with the years, and very little variation would be noticed between the methods of today and those of a hundred years ago.
The roof is thatched with rushes or with straw. The straw or rushes are laid on the roof which has been cleaned. The schallopers or "squeeze-lops" which are longish sally-rods painted on both ends are used to pin down the straw.
Each scallop which fastens about a foot wide are driven into position with a mallet.