SHELTER FOE THE HAY-RICK. 



151 



still further to check the progress of fermentation by 

 imbibing the moisture from the hay. And so pleased 

 are the cattle with the flavour of this salted food, 

 that they will eat not only the hay, but even the straw 

 mixed with it, more readily than hay of a better quality 

 which has not been salted. In several of the northern 

 counties of England this practice of salting hay is 

 becoming very common, and the cattle fed on it are 

 found to thrive well. The usual quantity of salt is about 

 a peck to every ton of hay. This may be shaken over 

 the rick from a sieve, or spread in layers by the hand. 



There have been several contrivances for rendering 

 the farmer independent, in a great measure, of changes 

 in the weather. One of these is the rick-cloth, a very 



THE RICK-CLOTH. 



useful article, affording shelter during the whole time 

 the rick is being made. It is set up in the following 

 manner. 



Two light poles, of sufficient height to rise ten or 

 twelve feet above the intended rick, are placed one at 

 each end, and kept firm by three ropes stretching in 



