MEASURING A HAYSTACK

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6803, 5 January 1929, Page 12

MEASURING A HAYSTACK

The process of measuring and estimating the contents and weight of a haystack are simple arithmetical operations. In the case of the former the rule is: Multiply (in feet) the length by the breadth, and by tho sum of the height from the ground to tho caves and one third of the height from the eaves to the peak. Example: Breadth 20 feet; length 25 feet; height to eaves 10 feet; eaves to peak 3 feet—2o by 25 by II (one-third of 3 plus 10) equals 550 cubic feet. Tho finding of the weight of the Stack depends upon the number of cubic feet by which to divide in order to arrive at the number of tons. Tho right figures to divide by are 250 for sheafed hay of good quality, well headed and not too long in the stem. If the sheafed hay i 3 long and thick in the stem, and not so well headed, the number of cubic feet to the ton will vary from 250 to 300, the time the stack has been up, of course, and its solidity being elements in the calcula-

tion; but tho figures do not, in qny ease exceed 300. For loose hay, on the other hand—that is, hay mown and cocked in the field—it takes a large number of cubic feet to make a ton. If this class of liay is very good—that, is, cut green with a good head and not too coarse—3so cubic to the ton is a fair divisor—but if it is very coarse and fluffy, and has not been long in the stack, it will take 400 cubic feet to weigh a ton. Even ia this case, however, 400 is the extreme divisor.