98 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



dies of a size which a man can handle without extreme effort ; 

 then on either side of this row of bundles cut four more 

 rows of corn in the same manner, but lay them on the 

 ground with the butts of the stalks towards the row first 

 laid down. 



Rye-straw is the best material for binding these bundles, 

 which should be done just as near the ears as possible ; and,- 

 while the workman has the bundle in his hand, he should 

 turn it over endwise, without lifting it, so that its tip lies 

 where he can reach and set it into the stook without any 

 carrying. Proceed in this manner, putting twelve rows of 

 corn and three rows of bundles into one row of stooks, 

 until the field is finished. Tins method will leave wide 

 spaces between the stooks for ploughing and sowing; and 

 the strip on which the corn stands can be ploughed and 

 sowed before it is set up, or it can be done afterwards, 

 which is preferable, if the crop is early. In cases where 

 the cornland is not wanted for sowing, and the workmen 

 are not strong and sturdy (which is the case with the 

 speaker), another method may be adopted, which avoids 

 much hard labor, and secures the crop with greater de- 

 spatch, as follows : Select the corn-row on which the first 

 row of stooks is to be placed, and bend over two hills of 

 corn at the ears, and tie the tops together by turning them 

 over each other in a half-knot; then cut two or four rows 

 on each side of this, and, without laying them on the ground, 

 stand them, handful by handful, in a bracing position, evenly 

 about the two hills which have been tied together. Proceed 

 in this manner until the whole field is completed. In heavy 

 corn it is sufficient to put five rows into one row of stooks. 

 A two-legged "• wooden horse" is sometimes used to support 

 the corn as it is cut ; but in some respects it is not so good as 

 the tied corn-hills. In both of these methods of harvest- 

 ing, the stooks should be no larger than is necessary to 

 enable them to stand firmly; should be so arranged as to 

 permit a free passage of wind through them from the ears 

 to the ground ; and should have their tops turned over, and 

 be securely bound so low as to strengthen and support them. 

 Corn thus secured should not be considered as safe against 

 all contingencies, or be left in the field until it suits the 

 convenience of the farmer to put it under cover; for fall 



