90 THE BOOK OP WHEAT 



Shocking. We found in a previous chapter that the ripening 

 process in wheat involves a transfer of material from the straw 

 to the grain. If the grain is cut before it is dead ripe, as is 

 usually the case, this transferring process is not completed at 

 harvest. Under these circumstances the completion of the 

 ripening process is greatly aided by prompt shocking and cap- 

 ping, and loss will result if the grain is not thus protected 

 from the hot sun and wind. This purpose is best accomplished 

 by round shocks with caps. If the sheaves are large, or if the 

 grain is green or weedy, it is customary to put 12 bundles in a 

 shock. Their disposition is as follows : Three pairs are placed in 

 a row; two bundles are then placed on each side of the row; 

 the eleventh bundle is placed on top of the shock, and the 

 twelfth, after its ends have been spread fan-shape, is placed 

 crosswise of the eleventh. In a shock of 16 bundles, the disposi- 

 tion is the same, only that four pairs are placed in the row, and 

 three in each side. A method of shocking that is quicker and more 

 advantageous when the grain is practically ripe at cutting con- 

 sists of placing any convenient number of pairs of bundles in a 

 row. In any method, efficiency and economy of time demand that 

 two sheaves be handled at once. 



Combined Harvesters include all combinations of machines de- 

 signed to leave both straw and charf in the field and to deliver 

 the wheat cleaned ready for market. The combined harvester 

 is the culmination of the modern movement of discoveries and 

 inventions pertaining to harvesting machinery. With this ma- 

 chine the wheat is cut, gathered, threshed, cleaned, and even 

 sacked without a single touch from the human hand. On one 

 side the grain is cut, and on the other side it is dropped at regu- 

 lar intervals in piles of filled and tied sacks, ready for the 

 market. Every operation, except sewing up the sacks, is me- 

 chanically and automatically performed by the application of 

 horse or steam power. In economy, in capacity and thorough- 

 ness of work, in perfection of mechanical construction, and in 

 ease of operation, there is apparently little more to be attained. 

 The combined harvester can be used advantageously in a dry 

 climate only, where there is little fear of rain, and no great 

 dews, which should be off before the middle of the forenoon. 

 It also cannot be used where the grain is moistened by the 

 damp breath of the ocean, as in western Oregon. 



