124 PERMANENT AND TEMPORARY PASTURES 



the eave to the ridge. This gives almost an equilateral 

 triangle. 



Rick-cloths cost money, but they are of great service in 

 protecting partially-made ricks when hay-carting is suddenly 

 arrested by rain. They also render it easy to proceed with 

 several ricks simultaneously, and therefore the grass can be 

 stacked in a more moist condition than when a rick has to be 

 hurried up and promptly thatched. Indeed, rick-cloths save 

 all anxiety about thatching, for the task can be deferred 

 until after the first rise of heat has been dissipated, and it is 

 consequently safe to put the roof on. 



The practice of making ventilating shafts in the centre of 

 a rick by pulling up a box or sackful of hay as the work proceeds 

 need only be resorted to in catching weather, when it is im- 

 possible to put the hay together in first-rate order. No doubt 

 the contrivance has prevented many ricks from firing, but it 

 restricts the partial fermentation which takes place in a solid 

 stack, and this is an important influence in the manufacture of 

 a fragrant sample of hay. A much better method of treating 

 grass about the dryness of which there is a doubt, is to place 

 layers of dry straw between thicker layers of hay. The straw 

 will absorb the excessive moisture, and with it many of the 

 valuable juices of the clovers, which will greatly enhance the 

 feeding value. This procedure is not available for hay which 

 is intended to be sold, but it will make capital fodder for home 

 consumption. 



' Weathered ' hay — that is, hay which has been repeatedly 

 soaked and dried until much of its value has been lost — will 

 be improved in quality and made more palatable to stock by 

 sprinkling coarse salt over the layers of the rick as the building 

 proceeds. From ten to twenty pounds of salt should be used 

 for each ton of hay. 



After grass is cut for hay, it parts with nearly three- 

 fourths of its weight by evaporation ; but, except under the 

 influence of long-continued rain, no chemical change of 



