GENERAL CONDITIONS IN NEW ZEALAND 56 
condition it is very easily ‘‘shaken.’’ But, though our 
methods are costly they are none the less efficient, and 
the quality of wheat turned out under their operation 
is as good as general conditions allow. For the most part 
harvesting operations are divided into three steps :— 
(1) Cutting with the reaper and binder and stook- 
ing by hand. 
(2) Stacking after the crop has been in stook for 
some two or three weeks and is thoroughly 
hardened. 
(8) Threshing at any time during the year. 
The last two operations are, as far as is practicable, 
done in one by the system of ‘‘threshing out of the 
stook.’’ There is a considerable advantage in this, on 
account of the quantities which can be threshed in a day 
with a few labourers; but weather conditions must be 
suitable and, further, the paucity of threshing plants 
limits the method very considerably, for farmers cannot 
wait when the weather is fine enough for stacking. Har- 
vesting extends over a period of some 5 weeks on most 
farms under normal conditions, but adverse weather 
conditions, which of late have been rare, may extend the 
period considerably. 
The specific cost of harvesting will be treated later. 
Enough has been said here to show that we have a rather 
cumbersome method. Circumstances, however, are re- 
sponsible for this, and it will be shown later that the 
farmer possessed of good managing capabilities who is 
far-seeing enough can turn it to advantage, and find it 
a highly lucrative method. 
Note on the Harvester. 
The combined harvesters include all combinations of machines 
designed to leave both straw and chaff in the field and to deliver 
the wheat cleaned ready for market. The machine is the cul- 
mination of modern invention in harvesting machinery; for with 
it the wheat is cut, gathered, threshed, cleaned, and even sacked 
without a single touch from the human hand. Every operation 
