5S2 



SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part II. 



built. But except the stacks are large, or the grain when put into them in an imperfect 

 condition, such openings are quite unnecessary. 



3285. The stacking of hay requires much care and attention in the person employed 

 for the purpose, though less than that of building corn-stacks. There should constantly 

 be a proper stand or foundation, somewhat raised by wood or other materials, prepared 

 for placing the stacks upon ; but nothing of the coping kind is here necessary. In the 

 business of stacking hay, the work should be constantly performed, as much as possible, 

 while the sun is upon the hay, as considerable advantage is thus gained in its quaUty : 

 and it is necessary to have a stacker that has been accustomed to the business, and a 

 proper number of persons to help upon the stack, in order that it may be well spread out 

 and trodden down. 



3286. The building of hay-stacks should be conducted much in the same way as the 

 building of stacks of loose grain (3282.) ; the middle of the stack being always well kept 

 up a little higher than the sides, and the sides and ends well bound in by the proper ap- 

 plication of the successive portions of hay as the work advances ; and during which it is 

 a good way, where there are plenty of hands, to have the sides and ends properly pulled 

 into form, as by this means much after-labour is prevented. It is likewise of advantage, 

 that the hay should be well shaken and broken from the lumps, during the operation of 

 stacking. The form in which the stacks are built is not of much consequence ; but, if 

 large, and made in the square form, it is better not to have them too broad, or of too 

 great width, as by this means they are less apt to heat. With the intention of preventing 

 too much heat, sometimes in building hay-stacks, as well as those of the grain kind, 

 holes, pipes, and chimneys, are left in the middle, that the excessive heat may be dis- 

 charged ; but there is often injury sustained by them, from their attracting too much 

 moisture. 



3287. The hay-stacks of Middlesex, it is observed by Middleton, are more neatly formed 

 and better secured than any where else. At every vacant time, while the stack is carry- 

 ing up, the men are employed in pulling it with their hands into a proper shape ; and 

 about a week after it is finished the whole roof is properly thatched, and then secured 

 from receiving any damage from the wind, by means of a straw rope extending along 

 the eaves, up the ends, and near the ridge. The ends of the thatch are afterwards cut 

 evenly below the eaves of the stack, just of sufficient length for the rain water to drip 

 quite clear off the hay. When the stack happens to be placed in a situation which may 

 be suspected of being too damp in the vdnter, a trench of about six or eight inches deep 

 is dug round, and nearly close to it, which serves to convey all the water from the spot, 

 and renders it perfectly dry and secure. 



3288. The stack guard [fig. 519.), or covering of canvass, is employed in some dis- 

 tricts to protect the stack while building in a wet season. In Kent and Surrey, the half 



a an 



519 



worn sails of ships are made use of for this purpose, though in most parts of the north 

 a covering of loose ifraw or hay is found sufficient in ordinary cases ; but where, from 

 a continued rain, the ctnck is penetrated some way down, a part is removed on recom- 

 mencing, and dried before being replaced. It is observed by Marshal, that a sail-cloth 

 thrown over and immediately upon the hay of a stack in full heat, is liable to do more 

 injury by increasing the heat, and at the same time checking the ascent of the steam, than 

 service in shooting off rain water. The improved method of spreading the cloth he de- 

 scribes as follows : two tall poles (a, a) are inserted firmly in two cart wheels {b,b), 

 which are laid flat upon the ground at each end of the stack, and loaded with stones to 

 increase their stability. Another pole of the same kind, and somewhat longer than the 

 stack, is furnished at each end with an iron ring or hoop, large enough to admit the up- 

 right poles and to pass freely upon them. Near the head of each of the standai-ds is a 



