This bit of machinery is called a bolter and it's purpose was to separate the flour and bran once the wheat had been ground in the mill. These different grades would come down through the individual chutes as shown below.
The top grade [i.e. the much sought after white flour] was classified as the "fair" and this was for human consumption, the "middling" was rougher and used to feed the pigs and the really rough stuff left behind went for cattle feed. It was interesting to learn the origins of another everyday phrase at the weekend.
Arilx
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So That's where it comes from..........I never knew.....now I wish I could remember who used to say this whenever they were asked how they were..........I shall be puzzling all day
ReplyDeleteHope you work it out!
DeleteArilx
I used to hear fair to middling quite a bit years ago...when asking someone how they were.But never seem to hear it now.My friend used to give her kids a big soft fleece type blanket for when they were on the settee not feeling very well and called it their Middling blanket!,xx
ReplyDeleteI still use it, but then I'm an old fashioned dame!
DeleteArilx
Every one needs a middling blanket,for those times!,Just to sit and be cozy,warm and safe.Ive got two!.One for around my shoulders and one for round my feet!xx
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