The Filer record. (Filer, Idaho) 1919-1930, 1922-07-20
Good CURE WILL
STOP HAY FIRES
Heating Process Begins as Fer
mentation Produced by
Growth of Bacteria
NOT MYSTERIOUS TO CHEMIST
Danger Of Spontaneous Combustion
Must Be Anticipated Before
Feed 10 stored-moisture
IL Controlling Factor.

The risk OF fire from spontaneous
combustion In mows and stacks may
ha done away with almost entirely II
hay is put up only when properly
cured. says the United States De
partment OF Agriculture To the
chemist and bacteriolOgist there Is
nothing mysterious about these nres-
The heating process begins as Ter
mentation produced by the growth OF
bacteria In moist hay. When conui-
lions are right the temperature mounts
until the organisms that started the
process are killed; from then on tne
heating Is the result OF chemical ac-
fiona slow oxidation when II Is
away from contact with the air and
rapid oxidation, or fire. when the heat
ing area breaks through TO the open
air.
When one OF these fires breaks out
there may be time toy save the h'e
stock, unless II occurs without warn
Ing In the night. but there Is small
chance OF saving the structure ana
the feed stored In IL. The danger OF
spontaneous combustion must be an
ticlpated before the feed is stored
Most farmers know when hay Is cured
nroperly, but because OF threatening
| weather or for some other reason
some men compromise and put In feed
that still contains too much moisture.
sometimes giving themselves a false
sense of security by scattering salt
| In the NOW or stack. Moisture Is the
| controlling factor, whether II is rain
that has fallen on the cut hay or wa
ter within the stems makes no differ
ence. II the moisture content Is low
enough the hay Will not heat to the
danger point
Alfalfa a TroubIe-Maker.
Alfalfa and clover and other hays
made from rather succulent plants
cause the most trouble from heat
ing. and they should be given par
| rlcular care In curing. In some parts
| Of the country where rains are fire.
| ouent at haying time II Is hard 10
| get hay Into ideal condition Some
| farmers cure II In cocks and use can
| vas caps. but this is expensive In time
/ and materials. In humid regions the
| danger from spontaneous combustion
In mows and stacks may be lessened
/ by the use OF box-lfke ventilator.
a skeleton tube IL 10 Is inches square
end Of any length desired. depending
upon the size Of the NOW or stack.
The corners are by inches and the
crosspleces l by 3 inches placed close
enough together to keep the hay from
falling through and blocking the air
passage. Diagonal braces are placed
In the box at intervals TO keep II
from coIlapsing under the weight OF
the hay. These ventilntOrs are usual
liz placed across the NOV at Intervals
OF or feet.
In some localities curing frames or
tripods are used to hasten curing.
They keep the hay loose and up on the
ground so that the air may circulate
freely through it,
Stirring is Worst Thing.
When nov or stack has become
badly heated there Is a strong temrta-
( ZION to 90 i'm and stir up the hay,
but often this Is the worst thing that
can be done. Admitting air 20 the
hot center OF fermentation may be
Just the thing needed 10 start a fire.
II air does not get In a part Of the hay
may be charred without starting a
fire: gradually the NOV cools and the
only loss is the hay that has been car
boulzed. However. IN the early stages
when the hay Is heating IL Is some
times advisable TO move hay from one
NOW to another or 70 restack. But be
sure Il is not too hot.
slow combustion inside the NOW can
be detected by a peculiar sooty odor
or By smoke that Is irritating TO the
eyes.
Danger Of spontaneous combustion
Is not confined 10 hay. II may occur
In damn fodder and straw. as well