Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-07-18
TnResHlNo GRAIN.


Advice Intended Nbr EnEm0Ro end OWnero
- Naehines
Nine twine-bound bundles arc
enough to put in a shock. Set up four.
then break joints with four more. and
cap with one bundle A shock thus
set up will dry out evenly and will
not mold. 1t will stand as we'll as q
large shock. and have but small
quantity of grain exposed to bleach.
Cut no grain when it is wet with dew.
Wheat, rye and barley should be ripe
when cut Oats may be cut little
green, but if afterward left in tn
rain they had be tier be ripper. AL
grain should be threshed as soon as
possible after it is dry. The flint vari-
cites of wheat may be threshed while
damper than the soft varieties. Bar
ley and oats will not mold in bulk as
readily as wheat. but no grain should
be threshed wet
Every farmer wants his threshing
done as early as possible; he wants a
quick job and his grain saved. If he
would accomplish this he must be
ready when the machine is. The re-
quirements are. the best of fuel, plenty
of hands. plenty of sacks. plenty of
tools. and arrangements must be
such as to have the work go on stead
lily and without interruption. with no
rushing. but with a will When meals
are ready. the men must 60 at once.
for it is important to keep on
the right side Of the cook.
Arrange so that as many may eat
together as possible, and let those
eat first who are wanted first Two
persons at least should stay with the
machine-one of the owners and some
one interested in the job of threshing.
1t is always safest
The handling of grain is the next
consideration. 1t is best to put only
one bushel in sack; it is more easily
handled, can be loaded and unloaded
more rapidly, is less liable to be
wasted, is much easier on the sacks.
and saves tying and untying.
Straw may be stacked with view
of forming a shelter for stock Sheds
are formed by placing posts twelve
feet high at proper intervals for
strength. On these place strong
ridge-pole. The shed should be the full
length of the stack, preferably in the
center, though it may be put on either
side or end. Let good. solid poles or
timbers extend from the ridge-pole to
the ground, four feet apart. and lean
ing at an angle of forty-five degrees.
Commence at the top and nail on lath
half way down. leaving the bottom
open; then build the stack upon the
frame thus made. Such a shed is
self-supporting, and stock can not
waste the straw. If there is more straw
than can be stacked on the shed-frame,
do not allow it to be thrown to one
side and remain in loose pile Leave
no loose straw around the stack.
Clean all up and haul to the barn for
bedding.
To owners of machines 1 would say:
Keep the machines in good order,
overhauling every day. Oil is cheaper
than machinery. Castor oil and bees
wax are the best materials to put on
belts. Keep the cylinder on the exact
divide and it will thresh clean out of
the head. and avoid cutting. Allow
the cylinder little end play. Always
set at right angles with the direction
of the wind. This gives clean side
to measure on, keeps straw and chaff
out of the threshed grain. and helps
the straw hands. Keep the boilers
clean. Never run machine when it
is empty. Never belt-bind the ma
chinery. Run it level as nearly as pos
sible. Keep the belts from the dew
and wet and always use the best
grades of lubricating oils. American
Agriculturist