Stacking

Korero (AEWS), Volume 2, Issue 7, 10 April 1944, Page 8

Stacking

This is a fine art —stacking. Unless you were a stacker before you joined the Army, you won’t be given this job. Instead, you may “ crow.”

On the stack-site a round bed of straw is made, about a foot deep. Meanwhile out in the paddock, sheaves are being forked from the stocks to build a load on a dray. Even this is quite a job, because to prevent the load falling off, every sheaf must be placed right, according to a traditional pattern. A beginner will not build a good load. The dray is driven along the stack “ bottom.” The stacker stands ready to place the sheaves; the crow, fork in hand, beside him. A sheaf is forked down from the top of the load and is immediately caught by the crow, who passes it on his fork to the stacker—stub end forward. The stacker places it with his gloved hands ; kneels on it and places the next. Soon a circle of sheaves is laid, stubs outwards, another circle inside this one ; a third perhaps on top of the first and the stack begins to rise.

With it go stacker and crow until they are well above the dray and are shaping in the rows to form a cone. By now the crow has, we hope, gained some skill with his fork. He must be able to use it for defence and protect the stacker from up-coming sheaves from the dray-

man, who is now forking “ blind.” The apex is reached and neatly finished with a few sheaves placed head up, stookwise. Down climb the two builders.

The soldier has crowed his first stack.