HARVESTING. 155 



long blade fixed in a long handle for the special purpose, 

 or a scythe partly worn with the point taken off will an- 

 swer nearly as well. The remaining, or bottom part, has 

 to be shorn with an ordinary cutting-knife, taking away 

 sufficient, it may be nearly to the bond, of the bottom 

 sheaves, also the bedding beneath, consistent with giving 

 this under part that closeness of the reed and hardness 

 which, being thus obtained, no rat can penetrate, and, from 

 the small base on which the stack is thus made to rest, the 

 angle on the outside is such that if a rat jumps against the 

 side it is unable to hold its position, but falls to the ground 

 from whence it sprang. The method is very effectual and 

 also practicable, as I have found stacks so treated within a 

 short distance of immense numbers of these vermin to with- 

 stand their attempts successfully a year or even two. This 

 leads me to consider the best position for the stack, whether 

 placed in the field or at the homestead, and this must de- 

 pend on the value placed upon the straw, distance from the 

 steading, state of the farm roads, horse power, &c. At the 

 time of harvest, when the stacks are being made, the se- 

 lection of a proper spot for each leads to the inquiry when 

 and in what manner are they to be thrashed out, and the 

 use to which the straw will most probably be applied? I 

 say probably, because it sometimes happens that the straw, 

 in its nature best suited for feeding, has been exposed to 

 the weather, so that it may ultimately cause some devia- 

 tion in the course pursued from that first intended; there- 

 fore I would say, first secure for your cattle the straw in- 

 tended for them, unless it is impracticable to do so from 

 more weighty considerations, it may be, as regards the grain 

 within. The stack, if intended for removal to a barn, 

 should be placed as near as possible to it at harvest-time, 

 for obvious reasons; it is better to do so at that season 

 than in winter, or when its removal becomes necessary, at 

 which latter period more horses are frequently required to 

 cart home than would be the case at harvest. There is yet 

 another and equally important point to be considered. 

 When the day for removal (say in winter) has arrived, one 



