152 CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



larly dried, when it is too hot and parching, than in ordi- 

 nary stooks longitudinally formed, which are exposed more 

 to boisterous winds and driving rains on the whole length 

 of the stook (at least, on one side of it), and sometimes on 

 the opposite side, when the wind chances to change during 

 the storm, where, as in round stooks, much less ears are 

 exposed on any given number of sheaves, and only one- 

 fourth of them are subjected much to driving rains, and that 

 windward, let it blow from what quarter it will, north, east, 

 south, or west, thus, three-fourths of the corn is protected 

 and preserved. It too frequently happens that, in the 

 hurry of harvest operations, too little care is bestowed to 

 set the sheaves up properly, so as to ensure their not falling 

 down and being injured, should driving winds and wet oc- ' 

 cur. Long stooks are more subjected to those vicissitudes, 

 and so take more harm than those of round, formation, from 

 various other causes which might be enumerated and ex- 

 plained. One man, instead of two, is sufficient to form 

 round stooks ; and, if properly and carefully done, they 

 would, were it required, stand a considerable time firm and 

 erect, with the corn protected and comparatively safe, till 

 suitable weather offered for carrying it to the garner. The 

 quarter which is only exposed to the rain most very soon 

 dries from the current of the wind around the whole stook, 

 with less power to blow it down ; and, catching the sun 

 all day, from its rising to its setting, are benefits which 

 cannot be derived in ordinary stooks placed lengthwise. 

 My method is this : First, to place one sheaf, joined firm 

 on its botton, on the middle of the stetch (not in the fur- 

 row) for the support of the rest ; secondly, three more 

 firmly and equi-distantly around it ; and thirdly, three 

 more repeated ; and fourthly, and lastly, to complete the 

 stook, place six more outside, at equal distances around the 

 whole, in all thirteen, pressing the ears, and lapping them 

 as evenly together as possible. Another advantage of round 

 stooks is, that the produce of several stetches can be placed 

 on one, so that the land between can, if necessary, be 

 cleaned or ploughed before the corn is carted. 



