334 THE SMALL GRAINS 



of it is ready, without waiting for all of it to fully ripen, 

 cutting the riper portions first, if possible. Varieties 

 differ as to the ease with which their degree of ripeness 

 may be determined by appearance. Red and black 

 chaffed varieties are ripe before they appear to be, as the 

 spikes do not turn yellow. Barley for brewing should 

 be cut a little later than if intended for other purposes. 



FIG. 101. The round style of shock with cap sheaves. 



361. Cutting the crop is now usually done in all the 

 Eastern area with the self-binder. The cradle is still 

 occasionally used on very hilly land, or for small patches, 

 where wheat is not an important crop (Fig. 100). When 

 the straw is very short in dry weather, or when it is badly 

 lodged in wet weather, it may be necessary to use the 

 mower. The grain is then raked like hay, and put into 

 cocks, which must be well made, in a way to shed rain. 

 The crop should not be fully ripe when cut with the mower, 

 in order that shattering through tramping of the horses 

 may be avoided. 



