SAVING THE CORN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 61, 11 February 1884, Page 2

SAVING THE CORN.

Important to farmers, x The following letter fm»n an Oam^u aectler, published m theOtago Witness . may probably be of use pf some of our farmers at this season :— As there^seenija.. to be every prospect 'of unsettled weather for the incoming harvest, and consequently much risk of damage lo the corn while standing m tho field after cutting, I would like io call the attention of farmers to a jjlan pjj^ j?jjfc, "iiiag the slieaves together bj- which the risk will be considerably reduced. $ < dare say it is known to some,bnt|l- hava> 'ftevN- «e«ft if put "m practice excepting with (he first crop on the Waitaki Plain m the year 1865. BegiA by putting four sheaves m a square, jwith the butts well apart and heads together. Then set up a row of sheaves round them, knd a : second row round ihein.again; they will be all sloping inw mL< Next, start round ' !th&m .'ig»un witlv^ another row, with the butts into tKe bands of the last, and again amther row higher, m the same way. take six or eight sheaves, and ptjt , round the top witb, their heads' dbwii; and tie them firriiiy with flat or '-vf batever is 'tnost handy— selfrbinder tWine would do well — crossing; the lie, jqnd, 'fastening it securely to two : of the!boitom sheaves. This Wdtil'd ' leave jonly the heads of the capping glfeaves' exposed to tho weather, and they, being. downwards,eare m. the b«t position, for protecting the grain from wefc, and the' whole would be safe td stand any lenglU of time m any weather.- This iAan may; involve nSore than simple stooking as it takes rather more labor m collect 'ing the sheaves together; but is it not rj worth while to take any extra trouble to savethe grain when it is cut ? than nave it swelling and even sprouting -m; thestook? I know of a crop bf ifirst quality wheat tba|' was ruined llast season which might' TiaVe ' been x sa.v^d if put together m this - way. ' Another advantage 1 mighl. mention 18 tha^ the "grain is secure from the ravages "of small birds. I hope these sUg^esl ions tnay be of use to niahy 'who* ckr. ill afford to have their crops ruined just at ■tiie'lasi ■ ■'■•••'•- •' ■ :1 "- t '" ; -"■