Cultivation of sir able Land Thatching of Grain Sittclm. t)3 



inches in width in the medics ; the ends being well fattened, either to belt ropes 

 patted in fuitable directions for the purpofe, or to different parts of the ttraw of the 

 flack. This method of tying on the thatch fhould conttantly be practifed where 

 the ttack-yards are much expofed to the effects of the wind, as without fuch pre 

 caution great injury may frequently be fuftaincd. 



Where flubble is tifed in the way of thatch, it is put on by flicking one of its 

 ends into the roof of the ftack, in a regular and exact manner, fo as that it may 

 ttand very clofe and thick : the other, with fi ch loofe ttraws as rnay occur, is then 

 cut over, or pared off with a very (harp tool, for the purpofe, fo as to form a neat 

 and impenetrable thatch, having the appearance of a newly thatched houfe.* It 

 is well fecured in its place by fhort pegs made for the purpofe. 



In whatever way the thatching of corn-flacks is performed, it fhould never be 

 attempted until they have fully fettled ; as where the contrary is the cafe, it is fure 

 to rife into ridges afterwards, and by that means admit the water to pafs down into 

 them. 



The expence and trouble which attends the thatching of corn-flacks has been 

 brought as an objection by fome againft the practice of fetting grain up in that 

 method ; but it is not by any means neccffary, in order to have them neat and fe- 

 cure, to beftow either fo much labour or materials upon them as to juftify fuch 

 an objection, though it may be done in fome inttances. As they are feldom dc- 

 figned to ftand for any great length of time, it is quite furHcient that they be thatched 

 in fuch a manner as to effectually prevent the entrance of water, and fo fecured&quot; 

 that the winds cannot difturb them. To have the work performed in any other 

 way would be totally incompatible with that difpatch which is conftantly requifite 

 2t fuch feafons. Narrow oblong ricks rounded at the ends pofiefs many advantages, 

 both in the economy of labour and thatch, over thofe of other forms that have the 

 fame contents: befides, they admit of the thatching being performed at one end be 

 fore the other is finiihed, or as the Hacking proceeds. 



But in any cafe the expence of thatch is of no great importance, as, when removed 

 from the flacks, it ferves very well as litter for the cart-horfes and other cattle.f 

 And even barley, or oat-draw will anfwer the purpofe perfectly well when drawn 

 in an even manner and put on with fuflicient care.j 



In diftricts where the ftubble is left high, it may likewife be employed as thatch 

 for grain-flacks, as has been already feen. But when it is intended to make life of 



* Modern Agriculture, vol. II. 

 i Communications to the Board of Agriculture, vol. I. $ Ibid. 



