HARVESTING. 109 
says:* “Where they [the legs] join the main 
piece, as shown at α in Fig. 35, [ have nailed on 
some light strips in such a way as to form a 
little cage or box in which corn ties are carried, 
each one with its string snugly wound on its 
block.” The stalks are placed against the corn 
horse, when the cross stick forms four corners, 
and the shock is built here. When it is com- 
pleted the cross stick is pulled out, after which 
the horse is withdrawn. 
Tying the shocks.—A fter the shock is formed 
it is tied near the top. A rope with a pulley 
on one end may be used to advantage for draw- 
ing the cornstalks together tightly near the 
top, after which the tie may be placed on the 
shock. Rye straw cut in the bloom makes ex- 
cellent tie bands. Cornstalks themselves are 
too brittle. Binding twine is strong enough, 
but may be cut by mice. Tarred twine is 
strong and is not cut by mice, and may be 
rapidly tied so as not to ship. When economy 
is to be considered rye straw is about as satis- 
factory a cheap tie as can be secured. In 
Western New York willow twigs are popular 
bands. 
Stacking.—To stack to best advantage, or to 
handle on the wagon or elsewhere, the corn 
should be placed in small bundles and tied at 
the center after curing in the shock. If string 
* American Agriculturist, Sept. 1, 1894. 
