White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1871-08-31
for the farmer.
srACxsNG GRAIN.

The correct.way to build stack of grain with
sheaves, is to commence laying the first course at
the middle of the foundation. The wrong way is
to begin by laying course of sheaves first around
the outside Of the foundation, finishing at the
middle. The philosophy of stacking sheaves %
as to turn the rain, consists in laying the course
Of bundles with snch slant, one above the other,
like the shingles of steep roofs that the straws
will convey all the water of the stack, instead Of
conducting it inward. Beginners should always
set mp pole at the centre of the foundation, to
aid in carrying up the stack true. Then construct
some sort of foundation Of rails or boards to keep
the straw up from the ground. Now set the first
course of sheaves on end, leaning them slightly
towards the centre. Press every sheaf firmly
against those that have been set up, putting them
as closely together as practicable. After the
foundation hiss been covered in the foregoing man.
ner let the stacker lay course of sheayes as neat
Nv fiat ms may be around the Outer edge, after
which, lay other courses on the inside, until the
| middle is filed. Now lay another outside course.
with the butts extending three or four inches be-
yond the course beneath. The stacker should
move on his kne and crowd the sheaves as close
ly together as they can be laid. 1t is well to
have one end of small cord attached to the Gen.
tire pole and hold the other in one hand, to pre-
vent laying out part of course too far on one
side. Lay the short side of the sheaves Of the
second cOurse down, if there is any short side, I'M
til il is time to begin to draw in and let the butts
of the second course extend about half way to the
band The butts of the third course should ex-
tend to the bands of the second course of seaves.
By this means the middle will be kept fuller than
the outer edge. Every stack should have bilge
at least four feet larger than the diameter Of the
foundation. The object of the bilge is this: As
the stack settles, there being no support to the
overhanging bilge, the Outer ends Of the straw
will settle much more than the other ends of the
sheaves, which will give all the outside sheaves
a steep slant downward, SO that water cannot en-
ter the stack. If there is no bilge, the sheaves
will remain only as slanting as the courses were
laid. Should the stack settle on one side more
than the other, the butts will sometimes be left
higher than the tops. In consequence of such a
position Ofthe sheaves, the rain will be conducted
directly into the stack. When stack is made
with generous bilge, it is not necessary to keep
the middle more than two or three feet higher
can build to the top of the bilge truer and with
less difficulty, by laying the courses only trifie
slanting. The middle must necessarily be kept
higher than the outer edge, or the sheayes will
slant inwards, which should never be allowed.
The true way to keep the middle higher than the
outside, is to lap every course little more than
the one outside of it was Tapped. To prevent the
sheaves from sliding outward the stacker should
set every sheaf up at angle of abOut As degrees
on the butts of the course below, and gently
thrust the butts of the sheaf he holds in his hand
into the straw, then lay it down. crOwding it
outward trife as the sheaf is laid down. Hthis
is not done, half wagon load or more of sheaves
will sometimes sway to the ground. Having
bnilt to the top of the bilge, carry two courses
straight up, then begin to draw in trife. fla
stack is sixteen feet in diameter at the bilge the
middle should he at least four feet higher than
the outer edge, in order to give the sheaves the
desired slant. This convexity of the top must be
maintained until the stack is finished. When
drawing in the courses, the shorter sides of the
sheaves should be laid up. The sheaves should
be pitched well on the top SO not to disturb
the outer course; and they should not all be pitch
ed on one side, as every sheaf will press the courses
down tri1e If the grain is all pitched one
side, the opposite side will settle so much more,
that the straw on the side where the sheaves
pitched will slant inward. The helper on the
stack should keep as near the middle as possible,
and turn the sheaves while on his fork SO that the
stacker will not he obliged to change ends with
them. If there is any difference in the size of
sheaves, the smaller and neater should be reser-
BILE to make nice top that will turn rain with a
portion of large and long sheaves and part small
and short.