Winnowing

Winnowing was how one separated the wheat from the chaff. This was done after the threshing of the grain.

A winnowing fork was used for this, which had five to seven long prongs. Sometimes winnowing was done with a fan.

Straw, chaff and wheat were thrown into the air with the winnowing fork. The wind blew the lighter dust and chaff away and the heavier grains of wheat and straw would fall back onto the ground. Winnowing was often done in the evening because it was windier.