HARVESTING THE CORN CROP 237 



Setting up shocks 



164. When cutting corn with knives, it is customary to 

 tie four hills together for a " horse " in the place where it 

 is proposed to place a shock. In other cases a " horse " 

 is made as illustrated in Fig. 77. In setting up bundles 

 after a corn binder, a " horse " is not necessary. 



Tying shocks 



165. After the shock is well set up, the tops of the out- 

 side stalks should be tucked under and the shock securely 

 tied with binder twine. A rope with iron hook on one 

 end, or a quirt, is useful in drawing the shock before tying. 



When corn is cut by hand, some steps will be saved by 

 following a systematic plan, in cutting the hills for each 

 armful. Such a plan for a shock ten hills square is illus- 

 trated in Fig. 77. 



Husking fodder corn 



166. The fodder may be husked in the field, a common 

 practice in the West, or as common in the East, hauled 

 to the barn to be husked later, or hauled to a shredder. 

 The shredder delivers the shredded fodder and husked 

 ears in separate piles. When husking by hand in the 

 field the ears are often thrown into piles, to be collected 

 later with a wagon. A more convenient way is to husk 

 directljr into the wagon. A high " throwboard " should 

 be put on the wagon box opposite the husker. A light 

 frame on wheels may be attached to the rear of the wagon 

 across'which the fodder corn is thrown for husking. This 

 allows the husker to stand while at work. 



