424 



SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II. 



underneath, in the bottom of the stand, which is of much advantage. It is obvious that 

 the form of these stands or basements must vary according to tiiat in which the stacks are 

 to be made, which is different in different districts. But wherever the threshing machine 

 is introduced, the circular base, as producing a stack of a moderate size, with other ad 

 vantages, is generally preferred. 



2747. Cast-iron stands for stacks (Jig. 372.) with or 

 without funnels formed by hollow cones or triangles, have 

 recently been introduced, and found advantageous in 

 point of economy, and admitting of stacking the corn, 

 somewhat earlier. The pillars of these stands are three 

 feet high, and weigh one-half cwt. each. A stack re- 

 quires seven pillars, besides the framing, which may either 

 be made of poles or young trees. In the wet climate of 

 Clackmannanshire, wheat has been stacked in five days, 

 beans in eight, and barley and oats in ten days, and some- 

 times earlier. No vermin can find their way into these 

 stacks to consume the grain, and the straw is better pre- 

 served. The cone or triangle keeps up a circulation of 

 air, and prevents heating, or other damage. (Gen. Rep. 

 of Scotland, \o\. iv. j4pp. p. 379.) _^^ 



2748. Hay-stands, according to some, may be formed ""^e^<c:35-'- 

 in the same manner as those for corn, only it is seldom necessary to have them made of 

 such expensive materials. A simple frame of wood is mostly sufficient, with proper 

 bearers laid across for the support of the stack. These stands are much better than the 

 common practice of building the ricks on loose pieces of wood laid across in the bottom, 

 and filled in with brush or faggot wood, as is often the case ; and eartliy floors or 

 foundations should never be thought of for this purpose, as the dampness must injure 

 a considerable part of the hay at the bottom. Where faggots are not scarce, however, 

 and the ground on which a hay-stack is built is rather elevated, no stand can ever become 

 necessary. 



2749. The stack-funnel fausse or boss, as it is called in the north, whether the stand be 

 of wood, iron, or stone, may be formed of a few poles placed on a circular (fig, 370 6. ) 

 square or angular base (fig. 372. i, having a few short spars nailed across (fig. 370 6), 

 or a straw rope wrapped round. 



2750. The stack-cover is a cloth or canvass covering, for suspending over stacks during 

 the time of their being built to protect them from rain. A simple implement of this sort 

 has long been in use in Kent ; but it has been improved on by Sir Joseph Banks, so as 

 to become more manageable, though somewhat more costly. It consists of two long 

 upright poles fixed into two cart wheels : a rope, managed by blocks and tackle, connects 

 the poles at top, and supports, raises, or lowers the canvass roof in the usual manner of 

 managing tents and sails. Its construction and use will be afterwards more particularly 

 described. 



2751. The straw-yard is a term applied to enclosures in or about the farm-yard, in 

 which cattle are turned in loose to eat straw. In most cases this enclosure occupies the 

 centre of the farm- yard, and includes the dung-bason, or it is a subdivision of the yard ; 

 but in some cases enclosures and sheds are erected exterior to the farm -yard, and near 

 the straw and root-house. The great object in arranging straw-yards of this description, 

 is to provide a sufficient extent of sheds open to the south for cover to the cattle in severe 

 weather, and high fences or sheds on the east or west sides according to their position, 

 relatively to the main yard, for shelter. 



2752. The poultry-yard in most cases may be a very small enclosure, as the poultry of 

 common farmeries should be allowed to range over the straw-yards and most parts of the 

 premises, to pick up what cannot be got at by swine. 



2753. A tradesman s-yard or small enclosure is often appended to the smith's and 

 carpenter's shops, as well to contain timber as implements in want of repair, &c. 



2754. A kitchen-garden is an essential appendage to the dwelling-house. Its situa- 

 tion should be apart from the farmery, so as not to interfere with it, or be injured by the 

 blowing in of straws, &c. The size of the garden will, of course, depend somewhat on 

 that of the house and farm ; but as a small farmer with a large family will require as 

 many or more vegetables than one of a higher class, there can be no impropriety in the 

 garden being largq. As potatoes and turnips, and sometimes other vegetables, may be 

 had of better quality from the field, some abatement of size may be allowed on this 

 account. In general, the garden need not be under a fourth, nor exceed half an acre. 

 The best fence is a wall, and next a close oak paling ; but if neither of these can be had, 

 a thorn hedge will answer, though its roots always rob a portion of the accompanying 

 border, and it harbours vermin. The best form is a parallelogram, lying east and west, 



