MANAGEMENT OF MEADOWS. 283 



any of the preceding grasses, but this subject will be treated 

 under the head of cereals, as soiling crops. 



STOEING. 



But little need be said on this subject, as the practice of 

 every one now is to provide, as far as practicable, for stor- 

 age under shelter. 



It was formerly deemed sufficient to stack the hay in the 

 meadow, and enclose it with a pen, until wanted for use or 

 sale. 



Farmers often, instead of making conical stacks, put the 

 entire crop into a long roof-shaped rick, In making either 

 one or the other, care must be taken to carry it up with 

 regularity, having no sink or depressions in it, as they 

 would serve only to convey rains to the interior. The rake 

 must be freely used on its sides to straighten out the stems 

 and remove all loose hay that would otherwise be a 

 waste. Of the two plans ricks are decidedly the better, as 

 less surface is exposed to the rains, and consequently there 

 is less loss. When it is desired to remove hay from a rick, 

 it can be hewed from the end, either with an ordinary chop- 

 ping- axe, a broad axe, or with a regular hay knife, such 

 being made and sold for the purpose. By this means, the 

 roof of the rick will be intact, and the hay is not injured 

 by exposure. On the other hand, in removing a stack 

 it has to be attacked at the top of the cone, and unless 

 it is all taken before it rains, the remainder is greatly 

 injured. 



But the stack and rick are both disappearing under the 

 improved ideas of economic farming, and the hay shelter 

 can now be seen on nearly every man's farm. It consists of 

 tall shelters of beams and posts, without side-boarding. It is 

 cheaply made, and is an invaluable aid to successful hay 

 making. These shelters or barns are indispensable to hay 

 made of clover, as it will not stand any amount of moisture, 



