Cultivation of Graft Land. Stacking of Hay When performed, 4 c. 467 



In refpect to the form of the (lack it is not a matter of much confequcnce, the 

 long fquare, or oblong fhapes are the moft fafe and convenient, efpecially when 

 not too broad, as they admit the air the moft fully. Befides, they are the moft 

 convenient to cut from intruding hay for fale. But the circular form for farm ufe, 

 where ftraw is fcarce, may be the moft advantageous in the economy of ftraw 

 in thatching. 



The tizeof the ftaddle or ftack bottom mould be proportioned to the quantity of 

 hay, but it is better not to have the ftacks too large ; twenty-four feet by fourteen 

 or fifteen is for moft occafions a good fize. 



The bufmefs of ftacking hay is beft performed, if poflible, while there is a full 

 fun, efpecially when the feafon is indifferent, as by that means it is much im 

 proved. It is neceffary to have a perfon that underftands the art of fetting up 

 ftacks, and a fufficient number of helpers to affift in fpreading the hay and treading 

 it well down. In building, the middle of the ftack mould always be well kept 

 up, fomething higher than the fides. In this diftrict, where work of this fort is: 

 well executed ; at leifure times, during the whole period the ftack is building, the 

 men are employed in pulling -the fides and ends into proper form. And it is 

 common to have a large fail cloth raifed on poles, which covers the whole and 

 prevents its being injured by rains until it is finifhed. 



In order to prevent the hay-ftacks from heating too much, holes, pipes, chim 

 neys, and other contrivances are fometimes formed in the middle of large ftacks 

 to draw and conduct off&quot; any fuperabundant heat. It is better, however, to avoid 

 thefe as much as poflible, as the hay round them is always much injured by attract 

 ing the moifture of the ftack. 



Mr. Young mentions an ufeful practice of Mr. Ducket s not only forafcertaining 

 the heat and preventing its proceeding too far, but for fhowing the colour of the 

 hay. It is by thrufting in a ftout iron bolt into the ftacks, to form a paftage for 

 a gun rod with a ftrong worm at the end, by which a fampleis fere wed out and 

 the ftate of the ftack difcovered. Where air is neceflary holes are made in different 

 places, to let the heat pafs off and prevent the hay from being injured. 



In building the upper parts of ftacks of hay, corn, or other materials of a fimilar 

 nature, fome contrivance of \hz flacking jlage kind is neceflary, in order to enable 

 workmen to pitch the fubftances with convenience to the perfon who ftacks them.. 

 The common method of performing this is by means of a framed ftage, fet upright,, 

 fufficicntly near the ftack to fuit the workman who pitches the hay or gram tain.. 



VOL. ii. 3 N 



