HOW WE MADE OUR HAY. 139 



proceed systematically as before. To preserve a 

 uniform green colour, "the bastard-cocks, previous 

 to their being carried, should be put up in the heat 

 of the day, and remain in that condition till the fol- 

 lowing morning, when they must be turned and 

 opened so as to dispel any damp that might induce 

 it to heat in the stack, and in that way spoil the 

 colour." {Middlesex Report) An oblong stack 

 twenty-four feet by fourteen is about the most con- 

 venient size and shape, and best allows a certain 

 circulation of air. Many will consider such small. 

 The hay should be stacked, as far as may be, during 

 the heat of the sun. Upon the stack there should 

 be a person who understands the art of building hay, 

 and a sufficient number of helpers to assist in spread- 

 ing it and treading it well down. In building, the 

 middle of the stack should always be kept well up, 

 something higher than the sides, and during the 

 leisure j3eriods the skilled men employ themselves 

 in pulling the sides and ends into shape. Overhead 

 there should be a sailcloth for fear of sudden rain, 

 the draught under which at night much helps the 

 making of the hay in the mow. The sail should be 

 kept quite clear of the sides, else, should continued 

 rain come, you will have not only your sail rotted, 

 but a gelatinous deposit of bad stuff two feet deep 

 around the stack. Chimneys left in the middle to 

 prevent overheating are to be eschewed, as the 

 moisture being attracted to that point, the hay 

 around them gets mildewed and spoilt. As soon as 

 all the crop is piled, the stack pulled and topped up, 

 it is left till it has sweated, and is perfectly settled, 



