■54 



THE CEREALS IN ;v^rERICA 



cases with a stalk of maize. After the plant has become cured, 

 which usually takes about a month, the shocks are generally 



husked by hand in the field, the 

 stover tied into bundles ; the 

 four hills which had been used 

 for supports are cut off and 

 bound with the rest of the 



Ma.ze cutter. Blade on each side severs StOVCr. ThcSC buudlcs are 



stalks while men riding upon the machine again shockcd and the shocks 



gather them together and shock them. . • i i i 



Two rows may be cut at one t-me. or. tied, Or the StOVCr IS haulcd 



raising one blade, only one row. dircctly to the bam and storcd. 



It is necessary to choose suitable weather conditions, since if 

 the plants are too dry, the leaves will fall off and be lost, while 

 extremely wet weather would be equally injurious. 



Methods of cutting maize by hand. A, wooden horse used to support stalks while shock Ip 

 being built; B, four hills used as support for shock when wooden horse is rot used ; C, 

 •oce with hook for drawing shock together prior to tying with string shown at Al ; D, maize 

 knife used in North Central States ; E. maize knife used in North Atlar»tic States 



