STORING 97 



exceed 30 per cent of water. If, however, they contain 

 much more than this there is considerable danger, espe- 

 cially where large quantities are put together, as is the 

 case in large, deep mows and sometimes in large stacks. 

 A practical test which may be safely followed is to take a 

 handful of hay, twist it as hard as possible, and if no juice 

 can be wrung out of its stems, it is dry enough to be put 

 in the mow. Bunches of wet hay mixed with dry hay 

 have often caused combustion. Such should always be 

 discarded. It is poor policy to haul clover hays into a barn 

 after sundown, as at that time it absorbs moisture from 

 the atmosphere very rapidly. 



It is a good plan for the haymaker to go into his mow 

 every morning while the hay is curing and observe the 

 conditions, but he should not, however, become alarmed 

 if he finds that the top of his hay is very damp. This 

 will always be the case, even if it was comparatively dry 

 when put in; considerable heat develops during the night, 

 which in turn evaporates moisture. The following morn- 

 ing, when the air is cool, a large percentage of this, 

 especially if the mow is not well ventilated, is condensed 

 and settles back on the hay. If the moisture, however, 

 is excessive, it is a good plan to scatter a load of dry 

 straw over the top. This will absorb the moisture in 

 part, after which filling may be continued. In case a 

 load has been put in the barn too wet, it should be spread 

 to the outer edges, as there is much less danger of com- 

 bustion at these places than in the center. In fact, the 

 greatest heat is always developed in the center where the 

 so-called craters form, and from which moisture and 

 gases are given off as a result of heating and oxidation 

 below. 



