BUILDING A HAYSTACK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19734, 31 December 1926, Page 21 (Supplement)

BUILDING A HAYSTACK

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, good hay should be lost in the < after being at the expense of cutting, curing and stacking it. A good foundation for the stock should bo made of any dry rubbish that is available, such as branches, cut gorse, 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 should always be kept full, and when looking broadside on, the ends should appear higher than the centre. The ends of the stack- arc not so solid as the centre, and therefore settle down more. The idea is to have the eaves of tin* 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 thatch at the eaves will throw the rain clear of the body. Before commencing to top the stark the centre should be exceptionally full —almost like half a top—otherwise the rain that may fall before the stack is* thatched will certainly gain admittancjO and cause, much damage. On the hand, the damage caused by the, ther to a well-topped stack, even unthatched for some time, will only superficial. As each course is put on the top it should be well beaten, and oughly raked down, so as to rain a clear course to run off out lodging. A good canvas or waterproof cover should available when stacking, so that event of rain coming before the finished, it may bo lowed io stay on longer 1 cary. 'as it prevents e\a arises through ihr ; in 1 lio <1 a d%. whi-di < \a; >■ ’>l iivriuns to the COV u-K.