Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-06-28
FARA and HOUSEHOLD.
SHOCKING WHEAT AND OATS.

SHOCKING WHEAT AND OATS
Having nau d recent inquiry
from a subscriber as TO where cloth
caps Cor wheat and Oat-shOcks
could be had, aud not being able
TO gife definite information, we
venture tue advice that such caps
wcOld be expensive, troublesome
cad, on the whole, not very reliable.
They are rarely used except for
covering stacks or ricks of clover
which will not turn oil water, aud
so require caps Of cloth or thatch
of straight straw.
II shocks of wheat or oats are
carefully put up, they will preserve
the grain without damage until
thIeshing time, and il, saves labor
by double handling, if this grain
is hauled to the threShlDg-machine
directly from the shock. 1t pays
to use great care in forming the
shocks, and if this is done no bad
results are to be anticipated. As
the work of cutting wheat pro
crosses, so should the work Of
shocking. Two active and careful
men tor each reaping machine EN-
ployed should have charge of the
erection of the shocks, and hands
sufficient should be employed to
bring together the sheaves. To
form a shock put six or eight
sheaves together erect on the butts,
press them together tightly--the
two men shocking Tor this purpose
being opposite to each other; DIS
tribute other Sheayes around them
as centre aud press firmly to-
gether, keeping them always erect
or bat slightly leaning to tue cell
Ire. \ base being thus formed
five or six feet IN diameter place
bundles on top and across each
other, with all loose straw that can
be ranked up around the shock for
a support and to give elevation to
the coping courses. Commence
with the first course and let the
butts project a few inches over the
base to cover the heals. The
sbeaves in this course must be laid
evenly and closely, pointing to the
centre, with an elevation Of thirty
10 forty degrees. The butts of
the second course should be
brought in about eight inches, and
so on with the third and other
courses, caution being taken that
the sbeaves in each course have
the same elevation and point well
10 The centre, so that there will be
ID side stress TO cause a twisting in
the shock, which makes it an easy
prey to the wind or its own gravity.
After the courses have been
brought 10 a point open bundle
or two and lay the straws erect
aud eveul, around, with the heads
locked or INTERCEPTED, and the
butts spread out in the form of
bonnet. The shock is now ready
for the cap-Sheaf, which is made OF
one having the longest and
straightest straws. Tie this firmly
five or six inches from the butt,
then place on end and jOstle once
or twice on the ground to even it
mp, and commence bending out the
straws regularly around in um.
breila shape. Have ready a stick
four feet long, sharpened at both
ends ;1nsert 1t, with the aid of
light ladder carried along for the
purpose, into the top and centre of
the shock until it projects out
about twelve inches. The cap is
then put on and drawn down firmly
with the point of the stick pene-
tratng its centre. After arrang.
ing the staws of the cap smoothly
around the crest the shock is com
p.ete. All loose wheat lying around
Is then raked up and placed under
the butts Of the first course.
1t pays a farmer as well to be
careful in saving his crops as it
does to be diligentIn making them.
We have gwen our plan OF shock
Ing (which has never failed Of
good preservation Of the grain), as
tue wheat and Oat harvest will
commence and be completed dur
ing the present month; and have
only to add that oats must have
halt a days sun in the swath be.
fore they are bundled and can be
safely placed In shocks, or, what
Is better, bundle as they are reap
ed, put up 10 dozens, capped with
one Of the bundles, and let them
stand a week before shocking
Southern Planter.
What Can Be Done by an Average