196 FIELD CROPS 



within a few hours after a rain, or as soon as the exposed 

 portions of the bundles have dried off. 



Attention should be given to the thrashing machine to 

 insure the removal of all the grain from the straw, and to 

 see that the grain is thoroughly cleaned of chaff and dirt. 

 Thrashing machines in good order can do a very thorough 

 job in both these respects if properly regulated. The straw 

 should be put up in good stacks or run into the barn, for it 

 is too valuable to take chances on having it spoiled by poor 

 stacking and bad weather. 



238. Storing the Grain. Oats are sometimes hauled 

 directly from the thrashing machine to the elevator and sold, 

 but by far the greater part of the crop is stored to be used on 

 the farm or to be sold at some later time. More than two- 

 thirds of the oats grown in the United States are fed on the 

 farms where they are grown. Clean, tight bins are neces- 

 sary for the proper storing of this grain. These should be 

 placed well above the ground, where there is no possibility 

 of the grain absorbing moisture from the soil. They should 

 be separated by a tight partition from the portion of the barn 

 where live stock is kept, to prevent the absorption of moisture 

 from the stable. The storage bin, however, should be located 

 near the place where the grain is to be fed, to avoid extra 

 labor in handling. In the Southern and Central states, 

 where grain is frequently destroyed by grain weevils and 

 moths, storing in tight bins with covers of sheet iron or 

 matched lumber is almost necessary in order that the grain 

 can be fumigated. Some means of keeping mice and rats 

 out of the bins should be .provided if possible. 



MARKETING AND RETURNS 



239. Market Grades. The market grades for oats are 

 less strictly adhered to than those for wheat and barley, and 



