772 



Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [lo Nov., 191 1. 



When cut at this stage, the stalks will also be more useful as fodder for 

 stock. In many cases, harvesting is extended over two and sometimes 

 three months, but the colour of the fibre is bound to suffer if the crop is 

 allowed to become over-ripe. As a slight compensation, the seed, how- 

 ever, will develop to a greater extent under such circumstances. 



There are several methods of harvesting. The most popular, especially 

 where the stalks are required for fodder or silage, is to break down all 

 the stalks to the ground in every fifth row, lapping them on one another 

 the whole length of the row. During the process, the heads are cut off 

 from 4 to 6 in. below the junction of the panicles with the rriain stalk. 

 This operation is performed with a heavy butcher's knife. 



The 6-in. lengths are left on the short heads and the 4-in. lengths on^ 

 the long. Any sheaths attached to the stalk must be rubbed off, and the 

 heads kept straight in the hand with the butts all one way until a handful 

 is gathered. These are then laid across the stalks on the ground in such 

 a way that the panicles are kept clean of dirt, and the ,air allowed to 

 circulate freelv throughout to dry any surplus moisture as fast as possible. 



The standing rows are 

 bent over and the tops 

 cut off in the same way 

 and laid on the broken- 

 down row. 



It is found more 

 expeditious for each 

 cutter to take two rows- 

 at a time ; it will re- 

 quire five quick men to 

 cut an acre in one day. 

 If the crop has been 

 sown thickly it will 

 take longer, as three 

 sm^all heads must be 

 handled as against an 

 equivalent weight in 

 one large head ; the sample will also be inferior. Very small heads and 

 bad heads are better not cut at all, as they will not pay to handle and are 

 also liable to damage the market value of the whole. 



Once cut, the fibre should not be left in the field more than one day. 

 If rain is feared, the fibre should be taken straight to the curing shed 

 where it should be laid on floors of saplings, battens, or wire-netting to 

 dry. The layers of fibre should not be more than 3 in. in depth and the 

 air should be allowed free circulation from underneath. In conveying- 

 the broom to the shed, the use of large baskets will effect a great saving 

 of time in loading and unloading. In dry weather, the fibre will cure- 

 or dry out in 6 or 7 days ; it can then be bulked with the heads all one 

 way, and the floor used for a fresh supply. In wet weather, it may be 

 necessary to put log fires under the floors to assist in drying out, but this 

 is rarely required. 



The bulk should be examined every few days to ascertain if heating- 

 is taking place ; if the temperature is rising, it should be broken dowry 

 and re-spread for a day or two. If allowed to heat, the fibre will turre 

 black, and in bad cases will rot away. 



ROLLER FOR THRESHING. 



