276 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[September, 
three strands, and each strand of two or more 
strands, or rope-yarns. Figure 1 shows how 
two pieces of such a rope are united by wliat is 
Fig. 1. SHOKT SPLICE. I'i.sr- 2. SI'LICET) EYE. 
termed the "Short Splice." Tlie strands of 
eacli end are first untwisted and placed together, 
each strand being placed between two strands 
of the otlier rope. Each strand in succession 
(first of one rope and then of the otlier) is then 
passed over the one it lies in contact with on 
the left, and is tucked under the next strand. 
To accomplish this tucking easily, the rope is 
untwisted a little and a sharp 
wooden, or iron pin (a mar- 
line pin) is inserted, and a 
place made through which 
the end of the strand may 
be passed. The course ot 
strands may easily be traced 
by referring to tlie number- 
ing of the dark strands in 
fig. 1. Wlien all the ends 
are thus tucked once, we 
have already a perfectly 
strong splice, which will 
bear any strain the rope will, 
but tlie ends must be left on, 
f(n- if the rope is subject to 
an untwisting operation it 
might part. If a handsomer 
finish is desirable, tlie ends 
of the strands may be open- 
ed, and one of tlie two yarns 
of which each is composed 
maj' be tucked again. After 
this both yarns may be cut 
off. This splice is twice as 
large as the original rope, 
but not nearly so large as tlie 
knots commonly tied in 
ropes, and it will go through 
i^ 
Fig. 3.— THUrBLE. 
FiiJ, 4. LONG SPLICE. 
most pulleys in -which tlie rope runs loosely. 
The Eye Splice. — An eye in the end of a 
rope (fig. 2) is often very useful, especially when 
it is to receive a hook, or to be subjected to 
wear in any way. In such cases the rope is 
bent round a thimble (flg. 3), which is firmly 
enclosed in tlie eye. This eye is made very 
much like a short splice, only each strand is 
tucked twice. The numbers 1, 3, 3, will be a 
sufficient guide. 
The Long Splice. — Wlien it is necessary to 
splice a rope, whicli runs snugly tlirough a 
block, or a hole, or over a beam, where it is un- 
desirable to liavc ail}' catching or irregularity, the 
long splice must be employed. This is shown 
in fig. 4, and when neatly done, tlie place of 
joining will hardly be noticed. The rope-ends 
are opened as for the short splice, but for a long- 
er distance, and are placed together in the same- 
way. Then one strand of one end is untwisted 
still further, and the strand of the opposite end, 
which matches the untwisted one, is laid in to 
follow it, and is thus carried as far as three 
twists, or three times around the rope. Next, 
one of the strands of the other end is run back, 
and another laid in in the same way, so that 
when this is done, the six strands will lie match- 
ing one another in pairs, at A, B and C, fig. 3, 
in the way shown at A. Then tie each pair 
in simple knots, following the twist of the rope, 
as shown at C. Finally tuck the ends, as shown 
aXB, pull all tight and smooth, and cut them off. 
These splices are good things for the boys to 
exercise their ingenuity upon for the coming 
month, and by-and-by we will give the figures 
of some useful knots and " hitches" for them 
to try their hands upon. Twenty-five cents 
worth of tarred 3-strand rope, scarcely as large 
as ones little finger, will be all the expense, and 
the less'on learned will be a very useful one. 
— • »♦» r 
Building Round Stacks. 
In building a stack of any kind, there are two 
points of great importance to be observed. The 
first is to carry up a stack true, and the next is 
to place the sheaves or material in the best posi- 
tion to carry off the rain. A good foundation 
is always necessary to keep the bottom dry. 
This can be made of poles, rails, or plank. It 
is always a good practice to make a round 
stack about a pole set firmly in the ground. 
This will keep it erect when it is settling. 
When making a round stack, where there is no 
polo in the middle, it will always be found ad- 
vantageous to stick a fork at the middle, keep- 
ing it there, as the stack is carried up. Then, a 
slacker can always judge whether he is build- 
ing the sides uniformly or not. 
The illustration herewith given, represents 
the best way of making a round stack. A bulge 
is essential to carry the rain as fiir from bottom 
as possible. In order to make the first course 
true, stick a fork at the middle, and tie a string 
to it; and holding the other end in one hand, 
■walk around the outer edge, and adjust the out- 
side course of forkfuls, until the circle is com- 
plete. Keep the middle a little the fullest, until 
the bulge is formed, when the middle must be 
raised from one to , two feet higher than the 
edge. Tlie width of the stack will determine 
the hight of the middle above the edge. When 
stacking hay, straw, or loose grain, lay a course 
of forkfuls of uniform size around the edge, 
and then bind this course with another row of 
forkfuls lapping on tlie first. Proceed in this 
manner until the stack is finished. 
When sheaves are put in a stack, set up a 
large bundle in the centre, and continue to stand 
others around it, leaning them inward until a 
bottom is formed large enougli for the stack. 
Now, commence again in the middle, and lay 
a circular course ; then another and another 
course, until the outside course is laid. Great 
care must be exercised to see that buts of the 
sheaves on the outside are sufficiently slanting 
to carry all the rain — not a part only — readily 
outward. If the sheaves lie nearly flat, the 
straw on the upper side will carry the rain to- 
ward the middle of the stack. The outside 
course of sheaves should be placed as close to- 
gether as they can be, to prevent large holes in 
the outside, where rain will find its way into 
the sheaves beneath. To prevent the sheaves 
slipping outward, elevate the top end of every 
bundle when placing it, and thrust the buts on 
the underside into the course below it. When 
they are simply laid down without this security, 
the courses are very liable to slide off. This is 
one of the manipulations in stacking that but 
comparalivel}' few understand. We have seen 
half a wagon load of sheaves slide at once from 
the side of a stack built by a man who was 
ignorant of this part of stacking. As the straw 
of barley and corn stalks are very slippery, it is 
difficult to keep the courses from sliding, unless 
the buts of every sheaf are secured in this way. 
To TOP OFP. — If the stack is being built of 
sheaves, the middle must be kept so full that 
there will be a good inclination of the straw in 
the buts of the bundles. This is always a much 
better guide than to attempt to keep the middle 
of the stack at a certain hight above the outside. 
The stacker should move on his knees, over the 
course of sheaves he is laying; and, in order to 
keep them as close together as they can be con- 
veniently, he should lay each sheaf partly on 
the side of the one last laid; and as it is pressed 
down with the knees, hold it from slipping with 
both hands. By this means a much larger 
number of bundles may be secured in a smaller 
compass than otherwise. If the straws only 
have a suitable inclination to carry the water 
outward instead of toward the middle of the 
stack, rain w-ill injure but a small portion of 
either straw or grain. If one side of a stack 
A STACK BRACED TO PREVENT LEANIKG. 
should be lower than the other, it may usually 
be carried up even, by using the large sheaves 
for the lower, and the small ones for the higher 
side. This onesidedness should be guarded 
against before the stack has become onesided. 
The straightest and handsomest bundles should 
be placed in the outside course, for the purpose 
of keeping the stack of the correct shape, as 
well as carrying off the rain better than tangled 
bundles, which should form the inside courses, 
whenever there is any difference in the sheaves. 
If it is necessaiy to have a man or boy stand on 
the stack to pitch the sheaves to the stacker, 
he should always remain as near the middle as 
practicable, and not travel about so as to dis- 
place the sheaves, after the stacker has left 
them. Keep the middle full, the form circular, 
