THE ART OF STACKING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15519, 29 January 1914, Page 10

THE ART OF STACKING.

BT W. a.

Stacking is a method of preserving grain crops from the weather until the threshing machine is available, or until such foodstuffs aro required for animal or human consumption, as the caso may be. In most parts of New Zealand, when conditions aro favourable to threshing out of stook, this method is very largely adopted, therefore there is comparatively a small percentage of the grain stacked, as farmers find it inuro convenient, if tho machine is available, to thresh straight out' of .•-took than to stack and then afterwards thresh. This is a very widely discussed question, however, and one that is diffii ult to express an opinion ou, as so much depends upon circumstances. Each method has its own particular advantages, and the farmer adopts one or other of these methods, either partly or wholly, according to conditions or to suit his requirements. Stook or Stack Threshing. In the caso of the wheat and barley Cl ips tho majority of fanners now largely adopt the practice of stook threshing. There aro several reasons for this. First, the barley crop is somewhat difficult to handle and takes an experienced stacker to keep it within bounds and make anything liko a good job of tho stack. Secondly, in dry, hot weather tho straw lecomes very brittle and the groin shells out freoly, and if stacked the double handling which stacking necessitates • auses a great deal of waste. On the other hand, unless put into stack in perfect order there will bo unduo heating, j which will eaueo discolouration, and thus render tho grain less valuable for malting purposes. Thirdly, oven though the stuff i.» stacked in good order and a bright simple procured, the difference between tho price paid for an improved sample through stacking is insufficient to entourage farmers to stack for the sake of improving tho sample, so it is the usual iiistom, when possible, to thresh out of stook, to save tho trouble and expense of stacking. Wheat and Stacking. The objection raised against tho stacking of wheat is similar in many respects, except that it is less difficult to stack, and if tho sheaves are made uniform and lightly bound very little difficulty will be experienced in stacking his crop. Again, wheat can be stacked sooner than barley, and once properly seasoned can bo put into stack with perfect safety, even though it. may bo slightly damp when stacked. hen put in m this condition, however, it may necessitate a longer period' in stack, as sweating will be greater. But in spite of this if sufficient time is allowed before being threshed the sample will in 110 way bo damaged. On the contrary in somi instances when the ripening has been rather, rapid and the crop, after being cut, baa been subjected to' extreme heat and drying winds, a heavy dew, or even a slight, shower, does no harm to the stuff. In fact it may do good, as it toughens the straw and gives it a little more cap, which is an advantage, as the grain feeds on this, which is tho sweating process, thereby improving the' sample in consequence. It must be borne in mind, bowever, that this must not be overdone, or much barm will be the result, ras it is well known that though a little moisture is essential to a good sample too much is harmful. . : ■ \ r ,/l f" Essentials in Stacking. Tho first essential in commencing to stack is to choose a suitable spot in the field on which to build the stack. Care should be taken to secure an elevated position, so that there will be no danger of flooding from underneath. Unless the site is well above tho ordinary level of the surrounding field careful precaution must bo taken; surface drains should be put in leading from the stack to the nearest drain or to a, lower part of the field. If the land is very low-lying and surface drains are not sufficient insurances against flooding and thore is still danger of dampness rising from below, other precautions should be taken. When bush timber is available a few logs serve very well for this purpose, laid down one or two. thick on the ground according to tho situation. A little scrub or old dry straw, laid on these make an excellent foundation and prevents tho ■ damp from rising .to the grain. - Commencing the Stack. After tho foundation or bed is made, when commencing a stack of whatever shape, whether round, square, or oblong, it 1 should always bo started by placing a stook in the middle, and never, as some stackers are apt to do, by first placing the outside ring. Tho former keeps the heads of the sheaves higher up off the ground, while with the latter the heads of the bottom row are almost sure to' get damaged. After placing the et-ook in the centre, sheaves should be built round this, keeping the heads well up at first and allowing the sheaves to become flatter towards the outside;; but avoid getting too flat or the heads may get crushed too near the ground when the weight comes on, for though tho entire sheaves may be placed in an almost upright position when building begins, they gradually get crushed down as the weight increases until they ultimately become almost flat. If, however, care is taken'. building tho base, that the heads of 'each succeeding row of sheaves are kept well above the heads of the sheaves below, there will usually bo sufficient straw below the head of each sheaf to prevent the grain getting damaged. 0 Placing the Sheaves. After the base is properly formed the second outsido row is commenced; this row should be well hearted up, and-each row kept full throughout the entire stack. There are two reasons for this; first, to keep up the centre and to givo.a pitch to the sheaves, and at the same time to answer as a binding to keep the stack together and prevent the outside sheaves from slipping out. Many stackers place too much importance in the building of the outsido row, and pay very little attention to the centre. This is a great mistake, for unless the heart is kept well up and firm when being built, the outside row, or wall of tho stack, will remain firm, while the centre will sink in greater proportion to tho outside; when this happens the heads of the sheaves instead of being higher than the butts will be lower, therefore rain that falls on the butts of tho outside row runs right into the centre of the stack, instead of off it as it should do. If the heads of the sheaves aro kept well up, by koeping the stack properly hearted in tho centre, there can be no possible chance of rain entering tho stack. After cach outside row is built, the centre should bo well filled up before another row is commenced.