564 THE SMALL GRAINS 



Australia they hold 186 pounds of wheat. Where han- 

 dling in bags is practiced, both in this and foreign coun- 

 tries, there is a gradual but decided tendency toward 

 bulk handling. 



619. Immediate marketing. When the condition and 

 prices are good, the grain is often immediately marketed 

 when thrashed. The trouble and cost of storage are 

 thus avoided, and sometimes the advantage secured of 

 an early rise in price. Often the grain is hauled directly 

 from a header to the thrasher, when thrashing, or thrashed 

 from the shock soon after harvest, and the thrashed 

 grain then delivered at once to the grain dealer or mill ; 

 or, where the combined machines are employed, the 

 bagged grain is taken direct from the field to the market. 

 As previously noted (443), it is maintained by millers 

 that thrashing without stacking does not permit the 

 production of grain of the best quality. 



620. Farm storage. Whether wisely or not, it is the 

 usual tendency for farmers to hold their grain for better 

 prices. This necessitates either provision for farm 

 storage of thrashed grain, or that it be delivered at the 

 local elevator, if such exists, to be kept there pending a 

 rise in price. The elevator exacts a small charge for 

 storage. The farmer, in providing his own storage, 

 should take care to prevent waste as far as possible. 

 The bins must be made tight, and should either be metal- 

 lined or the entire building be placed 2 feet above ground 

 on piles, with caps of sheet tin over the top of each pile, 

 having their edges extending downward and outward, 

 to prevent the access of rats and mice. It may be neces- 

 sary occasionally to fumigate the bins, as previously 

 described (549), on account of insects. 



In recent years, on large wheat farms, sheet metal 



