298 FIELD CROPS 



shed-roof built specially for protecting hay from the weather, 

 or in a stack in the open. When the hay is to be fed on the 

 farm and storage room can be provided in the barn without 

 much expense, it should be placed there. It is then pro- 

 tected from loss by exposure to the weather and is con- 

 veniently located for feeding. If any quantity is to be stored 

 in the barn, a track and carrier should be placed in the peak 

 of the roof and provision made for unloading by horse power. 



When the mow does not afford sufficient storage room, 

 particularly when the hay is to be sold rather than fed, a 

 specially constructed hay-shed may be useful. This con- 

 sists of a set of posts covered with a roof, under which the 

 hay is stored; if desired, the sides and ends may be enclosed, 

 but this is not essential, as there will be little loss from 

 weathering if the sides of the pile of hay are kept straight 

 so that rain and snow can not penetrate. Where there is an 

 abundance of hay and insufficient storage space under cover, 

 stacking in the open is necessary. Where a number of loads 

 are to be put into one stack, unloading is facilitated if a set 

 of poles or derricks is used and the hay is unloaded by horses. 

 Small stacks expose relatively more surface to the weather 

 than large ones, and a greater proportion of the hay is 

 injured by weathering. 



369. Baling. If hay is to be sold for shipment, it is com- 

 pressed into bales of from 100 to 200 pounds. The ordinary 

 bale averages about 100 pounds in weight. Hay in the stack 

 or mow occupies from 350 to 500 cubic feet to the ton, 

 depending very largely on the height of the stack, the kind 

 of hay, and the length of time it has settled. Baled hay 

 occupies from 100 to 150 cubic feet to the ton. Baling 

 presses are of various kinds, and the pressure is applied in 

 various ways. The power for pressing is generally supplied 

 by a sweep drawn by horses, though a steam or gasoline 



