372 THE WHEAT CULTURIST. 



which we have practised for many years, and know that 

 it operates well : 



" 1. Grain should be firmly bound in smaller sheaves 

 than it is almost universally bound. Loosely bound 

 sheaves cannot be well shocked ; they also admit more 

 rain than tightly bound ones. 



" 2. Two men can shock better and more advantage- 

 ously than one. 



" 3. Let the shocker always take two sheaves at a time, 

 holding them with his elbow against his side, bringing 

 the heads together with hands well spread upon them. 

 Lift them as high as possible, bringing them with force, 

 in as nearly a perpendicular position as can be, to the 

 ground. Never make the second thrust, if the sheaves 

 stand erect, for every one after the first, by breaking 

 the butts, makes the matter worse. 



"4. Let two persons bring down two sheaves each at 

 the same time, as described above, being extremely care- 

 ful to keep them perpendicular. The form 

 of shock at this period, may be represented 

 thus : 



" 5. As lastly stated, two more each, thus : ^ ^ 

 The reader will perceive we now have ten * * 



sheaves, forming a circle as nearly as can be. * * * * 



" 6. While one man presses the head of the * * 

 shock firmly together, let the other break, not bend, the 

 two cap sheaves, and place them on well-spreading heads 

 and butts. 



" The main points are, to have grain well bound, sheaves 

 to be stood in an erect position, and then put cap-sheaves 

 on firmly, and every gust of wind will not demolish your 

 work." Let boys, and awkward men also, observe these 

 directions, till they can shock grain neatly. 



