200 THE SOILS AND CROPS OF THE FARM, 



broken off and lost. If, on the other hand, the clo- 

 ver is put in shocks before the leaves become dry, the 

 stems and leaves transpire or evaporate the water 

 through the leaves, much as they do when the plant is 

 growing. The moisture of the stems passes off 

 through the leaves. This is the sweating of hay. 

 The water collects on the outer surface of the stems 

 and leaves, because it is imprisoned there by the sur- 

 rounding material. 



It is not feasible in many places, however, to cure 

 hay in the shock, on account of the extra labor neces- 

 sary. Much hay is now put in the barn or stack on 

 the day after it is cut. Hay rakes, loaders and forks 

 make it possible to do this with but little hand labor, 

 while if put in shock much hand work is necessary. 



On the other hand, where only a limited quantity 

 is to be handled, it is often more convenient and more 

 economical to put the hay in shock. The method 

 of handling hay depends much upon circumstances, 

 the main element being the cost of a given method 

 under given conditions. 



Other things equal, the less the hay is handled the 

 better the quality, as at every movement some of the 

 finer parts may be lost. 



