The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1915-07-09
Practical FQrzninQ.
Helpful Facts Gathered from Reliable Sources
OfMterest to Montana Farmers =: =: =: ):
(NOTE) If you have any idea to offer to the other readers y wish
to appear in these columns kindly send it in.
HARVESTING SPRING WHEAT

HARVESTING SPRING WHEAT
Suggestions on Cutting, Shocking,
Stacking and Thrashing
Washington, D. c., July 8, 1915
The harvesting and thrashing of the
spring wheat crop grown on some
II million acres, by far the greatest
proportion of which is produced in
the >Dakotas and Minnesota, is accom-
1blished under varying conditions and
will soon be in full swing. The great
er part of the crop in the northern
Great Plains area is cut with a bind
er. The condition Of the bundles and
their convenient handling depend
largely on the adjustment of this ma
chine.
The new U. s. Department of Ag-
riculture Farmers Bulletin No. G7S,
"Growing Hard Spring Wheat" al
though intended primarily for the far
mer who has not had much experience
in the growing of spring wheat on
the Great Plains, will doubtless prove
useful to others, as it tells in direct
language Of many of the best methods
of farm practice. Concerning the
cutting of the wheat crop it states that
wheat which has been allowed to ma
ture before cutting makes the best
-four. Where the acreage is small,
cutting should be delayed until the
kernels are well hardened. Where
the acreage is large, cutting may be-
gin before the grains are entirely
hardened, but after the straw has lost
nearly all of it's green color. If the
crop becomes overripe, a loss in guam
tity from Smelling may result. Dur
UNI wheat usually looks. ripper than it
really is. Even when fully ripe, it
can be left standing longer than COM
mon wheat, as it does not shatter. The
header is used to some extent in west
ern Nebraska, and quite commonly in
the James River Valley in South Da-
kota.. 1t is of most value, however,
where little or no rainfall occurs dur
ing the harvest season.
Building the Shock
Wheat cut with a binder should be
shocked in the field Immediately. The
shocks should be placed in rows, so
that they can be hauled later with
the greatest convenience. The quail
ity of the thrashed grain depends
greatly on the care used in shocking
The shock should be started by TAX
ing a bundle in each hand and, with a
single swing, jamming the butts firmly
into the stubble, side by side, a few
inches apart, the heads leaning against
each other to prevent falling. The
next two are placed against the edges
of the first pair. From 6 to 8 or II
more bundles can then be placed firm
ly about these until a round shock Of
the proper size is formed.
In the eastern, more humid and less
windy districts it is we'll to cap the
shocks to protect them from rain ane
birds. Make the cap by breaking
down the straw at the band towart
both heads and the butts of two goot
bundles. These should be placed firm
ly on top Of the standing bundles.
Good Stacking Counts for Much
Only about one-fourth of the whea'
in this hard sp~ring-wheat section i:
stacked under present conditions
Threshing directly from the shock i:
more commonly practiced, as the tota
cost usually is somewhat less.
Stacking gives greater protection
however, results in a better quality o.
wheat, and allows more economical
t%hrashing. Early fall blowing is mad
possible by the removal of the shocks
from the fields. This is usually yer,
desirable and often will pay for tn,
extra expense of stacking.
Well-stacked grain can be allowed
to remain for weeks or months befor,
thrashing, without damage. Stacking
should be done as o as the grair
is we'll cured in the shock, usual!
after 10 or 20 days. Four stacks ar
commonly built, in pairs 6 feet apart
to form a setting. The stacks ar
round and usually 10 feet in diamete
at the base.
First, build a large round shock o
stock, about 8 feet in diameter; the
place two layers of bundles, one dir
ectly on top of the other, with head
resting against the shock, and tn
/ butts forming the 10-foot circula
+ base. The next row is laid with tn
i butts extending lust mast the hands q