Watch this tool demo video to see how a flail was used to separate seeds from the rest of the grain plant.

Transcript of movie: Threshing separates the seeds from the heads of dried grains such as wheat, oats, and rye. This man is using a flail to pound on the heads of wheat so that the seeds pop out. The process works best on a firm surface such as a barn floor. Another method was to lead a team of oxen over the grain; letting their feet do the work of separating out the seeds. Filmed at Historic Deerfield, Inc.