THE RIGHT WAY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10436, 6 January 1927, Page 7

THE RIGHT WAY.

BUILDING A HAYSTACK SOME USEFUL HINTS. It is quite apparent that a great many otherwise good farmers do not take much pride in the appearance of their stacks in these days, and it is to be feared that a great! many stacks are built to catch rain, rather than to throw it off. It is really deplorable that much go old hay should be lost in tthe stack, after being at the expense of cutting, curing and stacking it. A good foundation for the stack should b© made of any dry rubbish that is available, such as branches, cut gor.se, hedge slashings, etc.

It is no doubt more difficult to make a good stack when the hay is hoisted by means of a lift, as it is impossible to shake out the material and spread it equally as when put in forkfuls, or in regular small quantities by the elevator; but, in any case the centre of the stack shoukl always be kept full, and when looking broadside on. the ends should ap>pear higher than the centre.

The; ends of the stack are not so solid as the centre, and therefbre settle down more. The idea is to have the eaves of the stack as nearly level as possible when the stack is completely settled. The sides, of the stack should swell outwards from the bottom, so that the hatch at the eaves will throw the rain clear of the body. Before commencing to top the stack tlie centre should be exceptionally full—almost like half a top—otherwise tli e rain that may fall be-foi-e the stack is thatched will certainly gain admittance and cause much damage. On tile other hand, the damage caused by the weather to Tt well-topped stack, even if unthatehed for some time will only be superficial.

As each course is put on th e stack top it should be well beaten, and thoroughly raked down, so as to give the rain a clear course to run off without lodging. A good canvas or other waterproof cover should always be available when stacking, so that in the event of rain coming before the stack is finished, it may be securely protected. The cover should not be allowed to stay on longer than is necessary, as it prevents evaporation that arises through the generation of heat in the stack 1 , which evaporation is also injurious to the cover.