It is customary, under intelligent management, to let the village grain lands rest every other year.[129] Dressing the land is not resorted to. The limestone in the soil supplies to some extent this lack. Distinctively farm-buildings, such as barns, etc., are scarcely to be seen unless it be at some farm-school or foreign colony. ----- ----- Wheat and barley are the common grains. The peasant knows nothing of oats. Of hay, as the Western farmer raises it, he is likewise ignorant. Large quantities of _dhurah_ are raised. This is a kind of millet. The early part of the winter is the time for sowing wheat, or, as the natives say, “When the thirst of the land is quenched.”[130] Barley, which matures quicker, is sown a little later than wheat. In broadcast sowing of grain the farmer sows first and plows afterward.[131] He starts early with his companions for the field, a little donkey carrying the plow and the seed-bags. The plow animals are usually unencumbered while going to and from the fields. Arrived at the field the donkey is turned loose to browse,[132] the men throw aside their upper garments and tuck the corners of their skirts into their belts. The sower[133] goes ahead, tossing the grain as evenly as possible over the ground, while the plowman follows and turns it under. There is generally a good deal of shouting on the part of the plowman in directing or stimulating his animals. ----- ----- This talk to the domestic creatures is interesting. Here are some samples: To start a mule the expression used is _dîh_; to stop it, _hûs_. To start a donkey, _ḥe_, and to stop, _hîsh_. An ox is encouraged to go by _imshi_ or _iṭla_, and commanded to stand by _huwwa_. So there are appropriate words or sounds for the different creatures. To make a camel kneel the driver says _ikh_; to make him rise, _ḥawwil_, and to walk, _ḥay_. A horse is stopped by _hûs_ and started with a sucking sound of the tip of the tongue back of the front upper teeth. Dogs are called with _kity_ and sent away with _wisht_. Cats are called by _bis, bis_, as one rubs thumb and finger, and scared away with a rough _biss_. Hens are gathered with _tî‛ah_, chickens with _sîs_; both are driven off with _kish_.