HARVESTING AND STORAGE 



477 



It is important to choose suitable weather conditions for husk- 

 ing, since if the plants are too dry the stalks will break and 

 blades will fall off and be lost. On the other hand extremely 

 wet weather makes the ground too soft for hauling in the ears 

 to the barn, and the grain gets wet and damaged. 



Various forms of husking pegs and hook huskers are used 

 for this purpose in America ; they are made in various sizes 

 and shapes to suit different hands by "The Boss Manufactur- 



er AP. 

 XI. 



FlG I77 ._Deering combined husker and shredder. (Courtesy of Messrs. 

 Malcomess & Co.) 



ing Company," of Kewanee, Illinois, and probably by other 

 firms also. Simple husking pins may be made of wood. Other 

 aids to maize husking consist of gloves with projecting points 

 or pegs ; equipped with such a glove, the man husks the ears 

 by tearing off the husks and snapping the stems. 



451. Combined Husker and Shredder.— -There is a particu- 

 larly useful machine on the market for handling shocked 

 maize, known as the Deering combined husker and shredder. 



