CEREAL CULTIVATION EASTERN AREA 335 



362. Shocking. -- The grain should ordinarily be 

 shocked in the field immediately after cutting and bind- 

 ing. If it is in good condition, the usual round shocks 

 are satisfactory, which should be capped to prevent 

 damage from rain and dew (Fig. 101). To begin the 

 shock, stand two sheaves in nearly an upright position, 

 but with heads leaning slightly toward each other, jamming 



FIG. 102. A field of oats in Dutch shocks, near Minneapolis, Minn. 



the butts into the stubble enough to insure firmness. From 

 eight to twelve sheaves or more are then set up about 

 these two, until a shock of the desired size is formed. 

 The size of the shock will depend upon the degree of ripe- 

 ness, length of straw, quantity of weeds present, and 

 nature of the weather. Two sheaves are usually used in 

 capping, the spikes of each being broken down at the band, 

 so as to form a cap. If the grain is very weedy, or neces- 

 sarily cut rather green, or the weather very wet, the 

 long form or Dutch shock two sheaves wide should be 



