GEAIN COMBINED WITH EFFICIENCY. 130 



it often occurs that the most onerous part of their duties just 

 commences after their dav's threshim:,^ is over, and a little assist- 

 ance in this direction will certainly put them in a good mood to 

 undertake the difficulties. As a matter of course after two or 

 even one day's threshing, a considerable amount of confusion 

 and displacement exists in the stackyard, and the following 

 morning is the best opportunity to set things in order. The wheat 

 straw stack must be supplied with a good rigging, the thatch 

 (carefully removed on the previous day) will come in very 

 opportune for this purpose, and must be securely tied down. If 

 properly built, and this precaution taken, the straw will stand 

 for months without receiving injury ; a crown will suffice for 

 the oat ricks, and the one from which the daily requirements 

 are being withdrawn can be protected with the waterproof stack 

 cover alreadv referred to. AH wet or loose straw ou[>ht to be 

 removed to the dungstead, and any weak or damaged grain 

 ought to be swept up, otherwise it will germinate and render 

 the site sloppy and unsuitable for future operations. 



Anent the disposal of the grain ; if it be intended for sale, in 

 nine cases out of ten, it will be found that tlie best method is to 

 accept market price and get rid of it. Grain does not improve 

 sitting in sacks, and few steadings possess storage accommoda- 

 tion, with sufficient ventilation for keeping large quantities of 

 produce. 



On farms of average size, where the entire crop will occupy 

 say six days of a mill to thresh, it is most advantageous to take 

 two days at a time (one at wheat and one at oats), in this way 

 no long shift is incurred the first day, consequently steadier 

 performance is ensured, and future needs will be provided for 

 a considerable time, whilst tolls (and the attending tear and 

 wear) are saved to the proprietor. It has been ascertained, 

 although it seems incredible, that wheat straw tied up from these 

 mills (with twisted straps) into bunches, can be packed into a 

 railway truck so that a greater quantity or weight is held than 

 could possibly be the case were the straw put up in bales, and 

 further possesses such superior qualities for thatching purposes 

 as to be entirely beyond ccmparision with straw threshed by 

 ordiniiry mills. It is a wise policy to retain as much straw as 

 will thatch tlie succeeding crop ; it is sooner available for that 

 pur}X)se, and prevents a serious inroad being made u})on the new 

 crop at a time when the grain is apt to be unmarketable in its 

 natural condition. 



This paper is not intended by the writer as a means of 

 trumpeting forth any superior knowledge ; on the contrary, it is 

 meant to stimulate to a more general ado])tion of the travelling 

 mill, by pointing out the most economical way in wliicli it is 

 available, at a time when the raost rigid economy reijuires to 

 be exercised in all a^rricnltural ailairs. 



