The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1856-07-02
From the Southern Farmer.
STACKING WHEAT IN THE FIELD.

STACKING WHEAT IN THE FIELD.
Every observing farmer who has passed
along the main road near upper James River,
particularly in the county Of GoochIand, af-
ter the wheat.h has been reapcd, has doubtless
noticed the Eeatness and skill displayed in
putting up the stacks in The harvest fields.
II is, indeed, most interesting spectacle to
see them all arranged with perfect uniformi-
ty; and each stack, both in size and struc-
ture, built as it were after particular pat.
tern. We have often contemplated it with
admiration. In no other part Of the country,
except, perhaps, on an occasional farm or in
a limited district, have We observed SO much
care exhibited in conducting the labors Of
the harvest, or securing the crop, after ma
tnre has crowned the hopes OF the farmer,
from the injury that is subsequently to be
unprecedented from rains and storms.
II was in the early part the present cen
tury that an Englishman by the name Of
Boot was employed as a schoolmaster in the
neighborhood of Gooclland G.. H., VINO was
no less intelligent in regard TO The operations
of the farm than in the management of
school. He was the means Of introducing
Improvements in various rural practices, the
most important Of which was 10 the art Of
binding the shra,es aud putting up the
wheat in both small aud large stacks. To
make good stack il is indispensable 70 have
a compact and well tied sheaf. When made
in the proper manner, these hand stacks las
they may be called will resist the weather
for any reasonable length Of time, little more
being necessary than an occasional adjust
ment Of the caps. which are liable TO be
blown of or displaced by the wind. We
have know them to stand with the straw per.
feetly bright for several months.
The time Of harvest being now at hand,
we haye thought description Of the mode
Of stacking wheat TO which we have referred
might be acceptable to some Of our readers.
The manner Of binding the sheayes cannot
we'll be described. ana VET tnere i Uul one
secure way oi making the tie. VI hen pro-
perly done. the sheai may be thrown about
and handled a ,inzen times without being
loosenrd IN the operations ol the harvest
field there is no part OF the work, perhaps, so
carelessly pefurmed as the binding. Pro.
prietors and o,erseers should be careful not
only 10 knew how 10 do II themselves, but to
instruct every binder 10 the field who is ig-
norant Ui il. II is Just as easy to do il the
right way as il is 10 do il wrong, aud the adj
vantages are very apparent when the stacks
are taken down, and the wheat removed 10
the threshing machine or the barn.
There is no difficulty. however, In de-
scribing the mode Of constructing stack, so
as "a be readily understood BY any intelll-
gent farmer. The dimensions should be in
proportion TO the condition Of the straw. II
the wheat is very ripe, il may be put up
10 stacks containing fur or five bushels: If
there Is any sapremaining 10 the plants, from
two and half 10 three bushels will be large
enough. In laying the foundation, select the
largest shcaycs, aud commence by placing
them close together, aud in an entirely erect
position, always packing them firmly, and
breaking the juinst 10 every successive
Course. In proceeding with the ioun alton,
the butts being more bulky than The heads. il
will gradually widen at The buttnm, until the
shcayrs will incline towards the centre at an
angle of about As degrees. 10 raising the
body Of the stack, begin by taking Two sheayes
IL The hands, and, ele,ating the heads. strike
the butts against the sheaves in The layer be-
Lcath, at or Just below the tie. but 80 as to
cover the bands. This is an important part uf
the operation. The fastening which Is there.
by secured prevents sll future slipping OF
displacement 81 the sheates; aud the whole
slinuld be packed down Closcly, at all times
breaking joints. The stack should be finish
cd oil with the smallest sheayes, care being
taken that il is moi tuo peaked, aud surmoun.
ted with a gaod cap. We have Witnessed
various modes Of putting up wheat stacks, but
none 50 complete as this. A very common
way is to make The base with all the shcaycs
in an upright position, aud then on the top
of this TO erect a new supcrstrueture. But
the shca,es al bottom soon become twisted,
and the whole affair presents an unsettled APP
pcarance, ard frequently requires righting
lup. Whereas. when a stack u properly
raised. il is liable to no subsequent derange
meni, except from powerful winds o. the ,ie.
| prrdations Ul stock.