The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-12-11
CARE OF FODDER.
The Last Outdoor Work of the Year an,
How 1t Should BE Done.

Inc AasC OuL-DoOr work of the Year and
How 1t Should BE Done.
The fodder and straw on an average
farm, if carefully preserved, are worth
as much as the hay. Fodder ought OF
TO be left in the field over winter; it
ought to be housed or Kicked Still. is
should be left out until it is thoroughlg
cured, else there is danger that it will
mold in the rick. Fodder-stacking
comes in order as about she last Gus.
door labor of the season.
Where fodder is to be- hauled in and
Kicked, it may be left at husl1ing -time
in temporary punches of rude construc-
ton. Four bundles may b. laid down
in pile, well sharpcned up. and about
eight set up on end around them, the
whole being secured against the wind by
the shock hills pulled up with the earth
on and laid ABOUND them.
once had CONSTRUCTED, and my ten
ant still has in successful use on my
farm, a folder-wogon made out of an
old Pixies Peak ox-wagon, with four
iron bars bent so that the fore wheels
could be turned clear under them, and
back of them dropping nearly to the
grounds This iron workinvolved more
expense than most farmers would want
to incur for fodder-wag but both
myself and the tenant found the prin-
ciple excellent in practice. An ordi-
nary wagon is too high to pitch fodder
on to, and ricking ought to be done
before there is snow for a sled to run or.
| If the farmer has a wagon which he
| has laid aside he can have it converted
into fodIer-wagon ataslight expense.
| Take eight iron bars, feet long, 24X}
inch; bend them into elbows at a right
angle. Bolt four into each axle at
equal distances apart; one arm of the
elbow will drop straight from the axle,
the other arm will project horizontal
Bolt firmly to these iron elbows four
scantlings, 3x2, and about twelve feet
long. The two axles will now be con
nected by frame work about twelve
feet long and hanging down within
eight or ten inches of the ground. On
| this the fodder is to be loaded. Braces
| of wood or iron can be bolted on slant
ing to prevent the fodder from resting
directly on the wheels.
| This is no chimera. | would not
recommend it if I had not tried one
very similar for years. and found it to
work well. One year when the fodder
was rather light my men hauled twenty
eight eighty-hill shocks of fodder at one
| load With this kind of q wagon two
men will nearly build rick seventy
feet long in one day; l have often
demonstrated this.
Before the rick is started platform
of rails or poles should be laid down TO
keep the fodder little above the
ground. On this lay down single
course ofbundles, butt to tip alternately.
Then begin and outline the bottom of
rick with a single course laid all around.
] The ends of the rick may be built
| square or rounding. The bundles of
this second course should lap on to
those of the first or middle course about
up to the band. Then lay third Cor
second midde) course. These middle
courses are to keep the center of the
rick full. and give pitch or slope to
the outer courses. The rick does not
require any bulge; it should be carried
up perpendicular.
When the desired height is attained
stringer of bundles is laid lengthwise
of the rick to receive the roof This
consists of single course of bundles
in each side, the butts firmly jabbed
into the outer edge of the rick, the tops
brought together and interviewer,
forming the comb of the roof. Bundles
should never be laid lengthwise in the
body of the rick; this would prevent
it from being cut down straight in
feeding through the winter. A rick
constructed this way will not only keep
the fodder in excellent condition for
months, but it may be so placed as to
form good windbreak for stock
Stephen P0lOers, IN OHIO Farmer.