After this, the cloth is passed through a cropping machine the function of which is to remove all projecting fibres from the surface of the cloth, and so impart a clean, smart appearance.

"You never put yourself out for any one, I notice; but, speaking of cropping ears, what do you think of it?"

The greater part of its surface was lush green meadow, starred with many beautiful flowers, irrigated with extraordinary care, and bearing evidence of systematic cropping piece by piece.

That was the beginning of the share cropping system.