CHAPTER VIL. HARVESTING AND STORAGE 
Harvesting Losses 
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Cereals (Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, Rice) 
Most losses to cereals are due to (1) shattering of grain onto 
the ground and breakage of straw when harvested too dry, (2) wind 
and insect damage, (3) improper adjustment and operation of har- 
vesting machinery, and (1) poor growing conditions. Timely harvest 
combined with drying of grain by mechanical ventilation will help 
to eliminate much of the losses die to shattering and breakage of 
straw, and some of those caused by wind, hail, and inssets. Cutter=} 
bar losses can be minimized by proper reel adjustment, and other 
machine losses by correct cylinder speed, clearance between concaves, 
correct number of concaves, and proper air-blast adjustment, 
Corn 
Losses to corn are due largely to (1) ears dropping to the ground, 
2) corn shelled off ears, (3) stalks broken dom, (lh) harvesting 
when corn is too dry, (5) wind and corn borer damage, (6) crashing 
of kernels when harvested with too high moisture, (7) poor growing 
conditions, and (8) obsolete machinary. These losses can be greatly 
reduced by earlier harvesting, This is practical if ventilation is 
used to dry the corn when harvested. Losses can be further reduced 
by the proper adjustment of snapping and husking rolls and gathering 
points. 
Cotton, Lint and Seed 
Cotton losses are due to (1) plant population and nonuniformity 
of planting, (2) cultural practiess influencing ground contour and 
weed growth, (3) time and method of harvesting (percent of bolls 
open), (4) storm losses caused by harvest delay, (5) bolls dropped 
on ground, (6) bolls missed by harvester, (7) improper adjustment 
and operation of machine, and (8) improper defoliation resulting 
in stained fibers. 
Hay €A11) 
Losses of nay include shattering of the leaves and lowering of 
grade when hay is rained on between cutting and the time it is 
put in the barn or in stacks. Shattering losses are heaviest with 
alfalfa and other legumes. Rain danage on the cut hay is greatast 
with the first crop and in the humid parts of the country. Methods 
of avoiding loss by wetting are mow drying or ensiling the cut 
grass instead of making it into hay. Leaf shattering may be reduced 
oy cutting the hay early, picking it up before. it has fully dried, 
completes drying in the mow or bale, and by use of h- or 6—bar side- 
Selivery rakes, which handle the hay more gently than 3-bar rakes. 
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