lo Dec. 



91 



Ha vsiac k Build in \^ . 



767 



last sheaves are practically stocked along the top, being lightly packed 



together with the heads interlocked by opening them and dovetailing them 



into one another. It will be found best to save a load of well-shaped 



sheaves of rather short length for finishing. The biggest and roughest 



sheaves should go into the body of the stack. After the top has been 



put on, it sliould be lightly 



raked down to remove all 



loose straws. Provided due 



care has been taken to kee]) 



the middle high and solid. 



such a stack should resist any 



fall of rain, and the only 



waste should be the butts of 



the sheaves on the roof. 



Round and Oblong Stacks. 

 Stacks of practically all 

 shapes can be built on the 

 lines indicated, with slight 

 alterations such as square 

 ends instead of gable. The 

 butts of the sheaves are kept 

 out square with the end eave. 

 instead of being drawn in 

 with the sides. Round 

 stacks are perhaps the easies. 

 to make, bui: are suitable 

 only for small quantities. 

 say, 15 to 25 tons of hay. 



Round stacks and small oblong stacks are often started from the centre. 

 Make a stook in the middle and gradually work out to a circle previously 

 marked out on the ground on the stack site. After the first layer of 

 sheaves is laid each succeeding layer is started from the outside. Work 

 back to the centre and so continue until the stack is finished. 



FIGS. 6 AND 



—DIFFERENT STYLES OF 

 RIDGING. 



Thatching. 

 All stacks that are to be kept for any length of time exceeding three 

 months should be thatched to save waste, and insure immunity from the 

 effects of rain. This can be done with straw. Rye straw is the best, 

 and should be straightened out and tied in bundles. The thatcher sits 

 on a ladder thrown over the roof and anchored b\- a rope on the other 

 side. Operations are commenced bv sewing nn to the sheaves, with a 



fig. 8.— sewing on thatch. 



curved needle and twine, a layer of straw about 3 in. thick. The straw- 

 is taken in the hand and each fresh handful laid close up against the pre- 

 ceding one. The twine is taken over the top of the straw, about half 

 way up the length, and through the one laid previously, the needle being 

 brought a couple of inches further out, ready for the next handful. 



The first layers of straw should project beyond the eaves and be 

 afterwards trimmed with a pair of shears. The second layer should lap 



