The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1879-06-27
FROM CHASE COUNTY.
Rain FalI-Flne Wheat Crop-Harvest
lnR-Etc.

Rain FaII-FIne Wheat Crop-Harvest-
ing-Etc.
DEAR NEWS last Friday evening we
had inch rain. On Monday Is inch
no hail-everything growing finely.
Wheat harvest about through, /. e. the cut
ting, The crop Is not as great yield
as some seasons, but the grain is very
fine and if hauled in, and stacked soon,
will command or at least deserve, a good
price. And here let me say that one
fault of Kansas farmers is to let grain
stand in the shock too long before it is
hauled in. In tins state no one caps
the wheat and the result is, grain is often
bleached too much to look as bright and
nice as it would if put in the stack or
barn in time. One week is generally
long enough for wheat to stand in the
shock if cut by a selfrake or dropper.
In heavy wheat, and cut when wheat
should be cut, harvester or self binder
makes too large sheaves TO dry out well
soon. Another error we know too often
occurs, and that is wheat, rye and oats
are often stacked or Kicked more to take
rain than turn il. Farmers are of
ten careful that the lowest wages are
paid in cutting and stacking, and both
done in so imperfect n manner that loss
Is certain. TO see reaper go in fine
field of wheat, heads large and well fill
ed, straw tall and golden yellow, have it
badly. cut and laid badly, bound and
poorly shocked, and then often after
standing out three or four weeks, piled
up in what is called a stack, to take all
the rain that falls on il for two or more
months is system of farming that in
jures every wheat grower that raises
wheat in Kansas, whether he is n careful
and successful one or not If man
don't know how TO put up grain to keep,
he should employ some one long
enough at least to learn how.
II is not necessary that a stack or rick
should be larger on the ground than it is
four or five feet above. All sheaves after
being shocked have slope by setting on
the ground. Alter IA stack is commenced
the long side of all sheaves should be
put up, forming a regular bulge, until
b the stack is about five or six feet high,
and while the outside layer should be
we'll laid, it is just as necessary that the
inside should be equally so. If not, the
inside will settle the most and cause the
butts of the outside layer to turn up, and
as there is more wheat in the middle OF
stack, there is more weight and de-
preston If the center is carelessly filled.
Ii, in going up, the middle of stack is
as closely laid as the outside and at the
same time the stack is built so that il
danger need be feared from wet weather. if
il stands six months before being thresh-
ed. When the desired hight for the
bulge is attained, the slant of the outside
sheaves, at least, should be reversed. This
will make the outside have a better fin
ish, and also turn water better.
1t must be admitted that all harvest
ing, from wheat to corn, is not as well
done as might be. All eastern people
notice this. While the ground lies well
for harvesting of all kinds, crops being
generally easily raised, too many go on
the come easy, go easy" principle. of.
ten after corn stalks are burned off in the
spring many fields have bushels of corn
that should have been taken care of at
gathering time. and the same may be said
of wheat, rye and oats. When Christ
was here upon earth, after the multitude
had been filled, he said to his disciples
gather up the fragments that remain
that nothing be lost" and thew filled
twelve baskets. If il was necessary 10
gather up the fragments then, when the
Savior of the world was with the people
how much more so now. Indeed. We Of
ten violate the laws of God and natune
and then complain, too, if we fail 10 pel
everything we think we need.
This state being short of timber 70
shade and cover the earth TO hold mois
ture IL should save all prairies possible
from being burned. This would give
more dews and rain, and afford a moist
atmospheric equilibrium, and save q
large amount of grumbling, growing
and some unnecessary praying. A. V.