The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-07-13
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 ls Stored-Moisture
Is Controlling Factor.

The risk Of fire from spontaneous
combustion In mows and stacks may
be done away with almost entirely If
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 fires.
The heating process begins as a fer
mentation produced by the growth of
bacteria I'm moist hay. When cOndi-
tons are right the temperature mounts
until the organisms that started the
process are killed; from then on the
heating Is the result of chemical ac-
tion-a slow oxidation when it Is
away from contact with the air and a
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 to saw the live
stock, unless it occurs without warn
ing In the night, but there is small
chance Of saving the structure and
the feed stored In it. The danger Of
spontaneous combustion must be an
ticipated before the feed is stored.
Most farmers know when hay is cured
properly, 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 1t is rain
that has fallen on the cut hay or wa
ter within the stems makes nc differ
m II the moisture content Is low
enough the hay will not heat to the
danger point.
Alfalfa a Trouble-Maker.
Alfalfa and clover and other hays
made from rather s%ucculent plants
cause the most trouble from heat
ing, and they should be given par
ticular care in curing. In some parts
Of the country where rains are fire.
quent at haying time 1t is hard to
get hay into ideal condition. Some
farmers cure II in cocks and use can
a 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 q box-like ventilator,
a skeleton tube II to Is inches square
and Of any length desired, depending
upon the size of the NOW or stack.
The corners are 2 by 4 inches and the
crosspieces 1 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 1t
from collapsing under the weight of
the hay. These ventilators are usual
ly placed across the NOW at intervals
Of z or 8 feet.
In some localities curing frames or
They keep the hay loose and up off the
ground so that the air may circulate
freely through 1t.
Stirring Is Worst Thing.
When a NOW or stack has become
badly heated there is a strong tempta-
ton to go In and stir up the hay,
but often this Is the worst thing that
car be done. Admitting air to the
hot center of fermentation may be
just the thing needed to start a fire.
II air does not get In a part Of the hay
may be charred without starting a
fire; gradually the NOW coois and the
only loss is the hay that has been car
bombed. However, In the early stages
when the hay is heating 1t Is some
times advisable to move hay from n
NOV to another or to restack. But be
sure It Is o 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 to hay. 1t may occur
In damp fodder and straw, as well
as In bins Of moist grain and seeds.