On Threshing out Wheat by a Roller. 33 



to be drawn on it ; and cattle, horses, sheep, or any 

 other stock, except hogs, be kept there as much as pos- 

 sible, to tread and pack it, and keep it covered. The 

 covering should not be removed until a day or two be- 

 fore harvest. This is indispensable. If the yard is not 

 kept hard, and free from grass, much grain will be lost, 

 and much labour required to restore it to tolerable 

 order. And no plan is so effectual as that of feeding 

 stock on it. 



As to the weather little need be said about it. Every 

 person knows that dry weather is better for any operation 

 to be performed on grain, even if it is under a roof, and 

 more especially if it is to be done out of doors, than 

 wet, or even a damp state of air. In July and August 

 wheat treads very well. To obviate the inconvenience 

 of dews, the yard, and also the stack, should, the even- 

 ing before, be lightly covered with straw. In the morn- 

 ing the straw can be removed in fifteen or twenty mi- 

 nutes, and then there will be no impediment of that sort- 

 It is better though to wait an hour or two, that the mois- 

 ture may be exhaled, than to work on damp ground, or 

 with damp straw ; because, in either case, the wheat 

 will tread tough, and much of it will be beaten into the 

 earth. A judicious farmer will accommodate his tread- 

 ing to the other business of his farm. As soon after har- 

 vest as the time can be spared, he ought to begin, and 

 so occasionally proceed, until the whole crop is ready for 

 market. If it be practicable, all the grain should be got 

 out before winter ; and then the yard will be ready for 

 feeding on, and for being put in a state of preparation 

 for the next year's operations. 



Whenever the farmer has determined on treading, h< 



