lo Dec. 191^] Haystack Building. 763 



HAYSTACK BUILDING. 



T. A. J. Smith, Chief Field Officer. 



As with all other arts, in haj stack building proficiency is attained only 

 by experience and practice. The builder requires a good eye for straight 

 lines and the faculty of concentrating his mind on the work before him. 

 The main purpose is so to build the stack that water will not penetrate it, 

 and that it be able to resist the wind ; but it is always desirable that it be 

 syinmetrical. A really well built stack is a fine sight. 



Forms of Stacks. 



There are various forms of stacks; they may be round, oblong, square, 

 or oval, according to the fancy or purpose of the owner. As compared 

 with small ones, large stacks have less waste in proportion. At the same 

 time, small stacks have the advantage in being more easily built, and 

 often obviate the necessity for opening a fresh stack ; any size from 10 to 

 150 tons is the practice in this State. 



The old practice- of kneeing the sheaves is still followed by some 

 builders, i.e., kneeling on each sheaf, when placed in position. The 

 majority of stacks, however, are now built with a short handled pitch 

 fork, with which the sheaves are put in position by the builder. At least 

 three hands are required for any fair-sized stack, viz.. the pitcher from 

 the load, the stack builder, and a sheaf turner. The business of the 

 latter is, with a fork, to place the sheaf as received from the pitcher in 

 a convenient position for the builder, so that the latter need not leave his 

 place to reach for each sheaf in turn. A good sheat turner can materi- 

 allv assist the builder and save valuable time and temper. 



. . Site. 



The first consideration is the choice of a site for the s^tackyard, which 

 should be a good solid piece of land, with drainage, either natural or 

 artificial, on all sides. A substantial fence should be erected, leaving 

 sufficient room for the stacks and a passage way around them for a dray 

 after they have been completed. If the stacks are to be threshed, room 

 for the straw stack should also be included. The size of the yard will 

 depend on the amount of hay available. If more than four fair-sized 

 stacks are necessary, it is best to have two yards, fifty or more yards 

 apart, so that in the event of fire the whole of the crop will not be en- 

 dangered. 



Where the stacks are luiilt on the ground, the grass and all rubbish 

 should be scraped off to the extent of at least 4 ft. wider and longer than 

 the stack itself. 



Building on Stage. 



A better system is to build on a stage. This can be cheaply con- 

 structed, and will last for years. It should be erected on piles. 6 in. in 

 diameter, of some durable hard wood j red gum, box, stringybark all 

 stand well in the ground. They should be not less than 3 ft. in length ; 

 and. when erected, be 18 in. in the ground and not more than 4 ft. apart. 



Before the floor or platform is built on the piles, a piece of galvanized 

 iron, not less than 12 in. square, should be placed on the top of each pile 

 to prevent mice climbing up and getting into the stack. A still better 



