Alfalfa in Kansas. 



97 



LOADING HAY WAGONS BY HAND. 



Hay may be loaded onto wagons by means of hand labor and pitch- 

 forks as well as by hay loaders, and this method is still practiced to a 

 large extent, particularly by those having the smaller acreages. In 

 loading hay on the wagon care should be exercised to see that the "sides" 

 go up square and that the "middle" is kept well filled. It is also well to 

 so place the hay on the wagon that it may be easily unloaded, especially 

 if it is to be put into the mow by hand. This is accomplished by placing a 

 layer along the outside and then filling in the middle, and repeat. A layer 

 from the middle may then be unloaded first, followed by one from the 

 outside, and so on to the bottom of the load. (See page 331.) 



PUTTING HAY IN SHED OR BARN. 



When hay is put in the barn or the shed, forks, slings, pulleys, car- 

 riers and tracks are generally used. They are occasionally used in 

 stacking also. Of the hay forks used, the grapple forks, which work 

 something after the manner of ice tongs, are most popular. The double- 

 harpoon forks also are often used. Other forks used are those known 

 as the "single-harpoon" and the "derrick." A hay sling is a net-like 



FIG. 89. Position of slings on a wagon loaded with hay, 

 shown in outline. [Courtesy F. E. Myers & Bro.] 



FIG. 90. Gathering the ends of the sling together. 

 [Courtesy F. E. Myers & Bro.] 



