STORING 95 



a loader. The loader is an excellent implement for hand- 

 ling timothy and clover, but is apt to shake off a good 

 many leaves of alfalfa if the hay is very dry. The more 

 common sling now on the market is made of ropes, four 

 ropes the length of the hayrack and with ropes across 

 like a rope ladder, and used to handle one-third or one- 

 fourth of a load. Others are made like the carriers of a 

 threshing machine with slats and ropes. 



STORING IN THE BARN 



The barn is the best place for alfalfa if all conditions 

 are right. Cases of spontaneous combustion in stack 

 and mow make farmers fearful of using the barn, espe- 

 cially for the first cutting, which is always most difficult 

 to cure. There are certain conditions that must be 

 observed if this hay is to complete its curing properly 

 and safely in the mow. The bottom of the mow should 

 be elevated at least a foot from the ground, floored with 

 poles or joists, and they should be about two-thirds cov- 

 ered with boards or other material in such a way as to 

 provide numerous openings or air spaces of considerable 

 size. If the mow already has a tight floor, a part of the 

 flooring should be removed before the hay is put in. 

 Then a box or barrel should be placed in the center of 

 the space and lifted up as the filling proceeds. If the 

 mow is over thirty feet long, a second barrel should be 

 used; that is, an air shaft should be left in about each 

 fifteen to twenty feet. A layer of dry hay or straw sand- 

 wiched in about every four of five feet, as the mow fills, 

 can be used to much advantage. If the mow is large 

 enough in length and width, an excellent, safe plan is to 



