The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-08-12
Hints ON Stacking.

The uncertainties attending the pfoduc-
ton of small grain, especially wheat, in
most parts of the West, make it important
that farmers take every precaution to Sc
cure and protect the grain from damage
by rains, which so often occur about har-
vest-time. Avery critical period is past
when the harvest is put into the shock in
good condition, but the danger of damage
does not cease until it is put into the stack,
and then the danger may be greater than
at any other time, unless the stacking is
we'll done.
The straw should be as dry as possible
when stacked, tor, in whatever condition
it may be, there is degree Of dampness
or sweat" it passes through, more or less
marked in its effects. If any part OF the
bundles are saturated with water, the
stacks become permeated with mold,
which does more or less damage to the
straw and grain. But if stacked when
dampness developed within few days to
''sweat," which improves the condition of
the grain in appearance and prevents heat
ing in the bin when threshed.
After grain is sufficiently dry to be
stacked, farmers often let other work of
less importance interfere with the final
gathering in of the harvest, allowing
much of it to be damaged or destroyed by
little neglect just at the time the work
ought to be done.
Two teams with wagons, if the grain is
not to be hauled to exceed one-half mile,
with four men-or boy may do the load
ing-can perform the work with the greatest
economy. Select high point of ground,
or one we'll drained, and place, if possible,
rails, brush, straw or other rubbish for a
foundation. If none of these are con-
venient, commence in the middle Of the
stack by standing the sheaves upright at
first and inclining the heads downward as
the foundation enlarges. When much
grain is raised ricks are the most con-
venient., Place them north and south,
and leave enough room for setting the
| threshing- machine between and so that the
sun may have access to the sides. Thus
four ricks NAV be placed in pairs, with the
ends together, yielding 400 or 500 bushels
of wheat or 500 to 1900 bushels Of oats if
fwell flied, and threshed at one setting of
| the machine They should be<left far
| enough apart so that the machine may be
set in any direction as the. occasion re-
Equires. Aiaiais ofteh poorly cleaned Or
wasted, and the straw is handled with a
great deal of extra labor by not being able
70 work with the wind and not against
it. Ten feet wide and twenty-five feet long
is foundation enough to erect the, largest
sized rick. s.f., "a sgs, .s.s.~r.4.
|. By carefully pursuing the following
}pian, the stackers may perform the work
tfapidly and lesye 1t id suehs Nlape as to
be III 10 danger Of damage from rains
Build mp a few layers Of shesvesy walking
around the foundation upon the ground,
making the foundation as square as may
be. ) This being done, tramp the sheaves
firmly, keeping them as near level as pos
sible, only making the middle full after
the Z. drawing inn of the stack is com.
menced or the bilge is completed. Build
/ up perpendicularly foursor five feet from
I the ground, so when the stack settles the
butts Of the sheayes4wilI not rest upon It.