HARVESTING THE GRAIN 83 



to the harvester drops the bundles at the right points, little 

 handling will be necessary. The shocking should be done 

 on the day of the cutting. By putting up round shocks, 

 using eight bundles for foundation and two bundles for 

 cap sheaves, the barley will be protected from dew, sun- 

 light, and rains which decrease its market value by injury 

 to its color and vitality. 



The length of time that barley should be left in the shock 

 depends upon the weather, the ripeness of the crop when 



Fig. 44. A field of barley in shock. 



cut, and the abundance of weeds bound up with the barley. 

 After the barley has had ample time to dry thoroughly it 

 should be drawn to the barn and stored therein or stacked 

 conveniently for threshing outside. The lack of sufficient 

 help and barn room has led many barley growers to thresh 

 directly from the shock. This practice does not permit the 

 barley to go through its natural sweating process while in 

 the straw. It will then sweat in the bin and extreme heat 



