The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1918-06-13

Harvesting A
prepared By the United States Depart
ment Of AEriculture)
Oats usually are cut with a grain
binder, though in the drier sections the
header or the combined harvester and
thrasher is used occasionally. When
the straw 10 very short. due to drought,
or when the crop Is badly lodged, cut
ting with q mower may be necessary.
The grain may then be raked and put
into cocks, which should be built 20 as
to shed rain. The proper time to cut
oats II when they are in the hard
dough stage. Out before this time the
grain is not well filed. 1t shrivels in
curing. and IL light in weight. II al
lowed to become fully ripe before cut
ting. a considerable part Of the crop
skaters out and Ii lost in harvesting.
The danger Of damage from storms
also II increased. When q large acre
age IL to be harvested it is advisable
to begin cutting soon after the grain
passes out Of the milk stage, as other
wise q considerable part Of the crop is
likely to become too ripe before 1t can
be cut.
= checking.
II the grain Is ripe or in the hard
, dough stage when cut, 1t may be placed
at once In round shocks, which should
be capped to prevent damage from rain
and dew. The best quality Of grain
can be obtained under these conditions.
II the grain 10 green or II the bundles
contain many weeds. they should be al
lowed to cure for q few hours before
shocking. and then should be placed in
long shocks, which may or may not be
capped. Long shocks allow the sun
and air to penetrate much more readily
than round ones and are to be prefer
red when the grain II cut green or
when conditions for curing are not
favorable. II long shocks are capped
properly, they protect the grain from
weathering quite ~ well ~ round
shocks. Grain that II wet from dew or
rain should be allowed to dry before
Il u shocked. In sections where strong
winds prevail during the harvest seas.
on Gaping IL not advisable. a. the
caps blow of and the cap sheaves
may be injured BY contact with the
ground.
A good round shock may be built
BY first setting up two bundles with
tie nat sides facing. the heads togeth-
er, and the butts few inches apart.
These bundles should be damned down
hard into the stubble, 20 that they will
stand firmly. Then set another bum
die at each end Of this pair, 70 that
there will be four in q row. Next set
one In the middle Of each side. This
leaves at each Of the four corners
space in which q bundle should be
placed. There are now ten bundles In
the shock, which II about the right
number. II the grain II very dry.
few more bundles may be Get around
the shock where they seem to at best.
When the desired number Of bundles
10 set up, the shock should be capped.
One or two bundles may be used in
Gaping. depending on the length Of
the straw and the dryness Of the grain.
One cap allows circulation Of air
through the shock. while two caps af.
ford greater protection from rain. Tho
cap bundle II broken by supporting It
with the butts on one knee and with
one forearm and hand under It at the
band, while the straw at each side II
broken over Just above the band with
the other hand. The straw OF about
half Q bundle II broken to the right
with the right hand: then the hands
are reversed and the remainder Of the
bundle II broken to the left With the
left hand.
Long shocks may he built BY setting
up two bundles with the fiat sides fac
IND. The tops together, and the butts
several inches apart to allow circuls'
don Of air between them. The next
pair Of bundles should be set up along.
side the nrst In the same why. with the
tops leaning slightly toward the nrst
pair. The shock 10 completed By set
ding another pair at each end and then
placing single bundles with the dat
sides in the opening between each end
paix. Il desired. moro than ten bun
dlss may be placed In long shocks. In
capplns long shocks the nrst bundle
should be put o. With the butts point.
ins In the direction from which the
prevailing winds come and covering
ths heads Of the bundles In that end
Of he shock - completely % possible.
TAs second cap should then be laid on
the other end Of the shock 10 the same
manner, With the heads overlappans
those OF he nrst. Two bundles will
cover an ordinary long shock with con
sidssabls overlap. but II the shock 10
vsry large more than two caps may b
uoo0o6.
o&setlN0.
Whsther oats should be STACKED Of
allowed 70 remain 10 the shock until
~ aro tArashsd depends very largely
q local eoaditions. II they can b
thsashsd from Tie dock after thsy are
cured bat bsfoes thsy are Injuries ~