wheatthrowing

Wheatthrowing is a term used to describe several related practices involving the handling of harvested wheat. In agricultural contexts, it refers to the act of throwing or tossing grain or cut wheat stalks as part of threshing and winnowing processes intended to separate edible grain from chaff and to aid drying.

Practices vary. In one form, workers toss bundles or threshings across a wind-facing surface, using motions to separate chaff by wind, often with baskets, sheets, or winnowing trays. The technique requires calm, dry conditions and is commonly done on open ground to maximize air flow. After throwing, heavier kernels are collected, while lighter chaff is blown away or sifted out.

In addition to its practical use, wheatthrowing appears in the ritual or ceremonial aspects of some harvest traditions, where grain is thrown during celebrations to symbolize plenitude or blessings for the coming year. In modern agriculture, the term is less commonly used as a technical designation, with threshing and winnowing described directly by their respective tools and methods.