The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1889-07-24
HARVESTING AND THREsHIYG GRAIN.


Nine twine bound bundles are 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. II
will stand as well as large shock, and
have but a small quantity of grain ex.
posed to bleach. Cut no grain when il
is wet with dew. Wheat, rye and barley
should be ripe when cut. Oats may be
cut little green, but if afterward left in
the rain, they had better be ripper. All
grain should be threshed as soon as pos.
sible after it is dry. The flint varieties
of wheat may be threshed while dampeI
than the soft varieties. Barley and oats
will not hold 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 ac
complish this he must be ready when the
machine is. The requirements are, the
best of fuel, plenty of hands, plenty OF
sacks, plenty of tools, and arrangement
must be such as to have the work go OF
steadily and without interruption, with
no rushing but with a will. When meal.
are ready the men must go at once, for il
is important to keep on the right side Of
the cook. Arrange so that as many MAY
eat together as possible, and let those eai
first who are wanted first. Two persons
at least should stay with the machine
one of the owners and some one inter
ested in the job of threshing. 1t is al.
ways safest.
The handling Of grain is the next con
sideration. 1t is best to put only one
bushel in a sack. 1t is more easily handledi
can be loaded and unloaded more rap,
idly; is less liable to be wasted; is much
easier on the sacks and saves tying and
untying.
Straw may be stacked with q view OF
forming a shelter for stock. Sheds arr
formed by placing posts twelve feet higl
at proper intervals for strength. On thest
place strong ridge pole. The shct
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 tho
ridge pole to the ground, four feet apar
and leaning at an angle of forty-fve de
grees. Commence at the top, and mai
on lath half way down, leaving the bot
tom open. Then build the stack upon the
frame thus made. Such a shed is self
supporting and stock cannot waste tht
straw. If there is more straw than car
be stacked on the shed frame, do not al
low it TO be thrown to one side and re
main in a loose pile. Leave no loose straw
around the stack. Clean all up and hau
to the barn for bedding.
To owners Of machines I would say
Keep the machines in good order, over
hauling every day. Oil is cheaper thar
machinery. Castor oil and beeswax ar
the best materials to put on belts. Keel
the cylinder on the exact divide and i
will thresh clean out of the head, anC
avoid cutting. Allow the cylinder littl,
: end play. Always set at right angle
with the direction of the wind. Thi
gives a clean side to measure on, keen
straw and chaff out of the threshed graf
and helps the straw hands. Keep tn
| boilers clean. Never run a machine Whe
1t is empty. Never belt bind the ma
chinery. Run it level as nearly as pos
sible. Keep the belts from the dew an
wet, and always use the best grades of II
, bricating oil.-AmerieaR Agriculturist.