156 



FIELD CROPS 



spaces on each side of the shock are filled by placing two 

 bundles against each side. Two bundles are used for the 

 cap. These bundles are laid lengthwise of the shock, and 

 care is taken so that the butts of the bundles do not extend 

 out over the shock. This is a very good form of shock for 

 any kind of grain. Figure 52 shows a well-built shock, 

 while Fig. 53 shows a poorly-built one. 



194. Stacking. Much of the wheat grown in the United 

 States is stacked before it is thrashed. A stack is usually 



Fig. 54. Stacks of wheat awaiting the thrashing machine. A better 

 quality of grain is usually obtained from stacking than from thrashing from 

 the shock. 



made by starting a round shock and continuing to lean 

 bundles against it until a bottom of the desired size is made. 

 The stack is then built up by laying the bundles horizontally 

 in tiers beginning from the outside, the inner tiers lapping 

 over the next outer tier, thus holding the stack together. 

 A grain stack is usually built up quite level for the lower 6 

 to 10 feet. Each outer tier of bundles is extended out over 

 the stack a few inches so that the stack i larger in circum- 

 ^erence at a height of from 4 to 8 feet than it is on the ground. 



