Take a good look at the tool pictured here. It’s not just a long piece of wood on a handle. The metal spike on the end and the metal ring that attaches it to the pole gave this tool purpose in earlier days in farming. What was that purpose? Pitching hay? Moving ear corn in a crib?

Here’s the only clue to pass along. A middle-aged farmer in northern Indiana found this device in a lean-to shed attached to an older barn on his father’s farm. His father farmed many years ago. The mystery item was just leaning up in the corner of the shed. Likely it had been resting there since the last time it was used. It was a typical, old-fashioned farmstead with wooden corn cribs inside the barn, plus a haymow.

BUSINESS END: Whatever this tool was called and whatever it did, this sharp metal end appears to be where “the rubber met the road.” A long pole handle separated the user from the spiked end.

If you can identify what this tool was originally used for, you will be eligible for a gift card. If more than one person sends in an accurate answer, one winner will be drawn at random. Email your guess to [email protected] or mail to 599 N., 100 W., Franklin, IN 46131. Please include your mailing address!