Hutchinson Gazette

Stack or Thrash from Shock.

This is one of the problems that comes up regularly at this time of year, says Wallace's Farmer. It may be stated thus: Where farmers wish to sell their wheat or oats in the near future, is it cheapest and best to thrash from the stack or the shock? There is a good deal to be said on both sides and, after all, the question is one that must be determined by circumstances.

If the grain can be cut in good time, well shocked, the weather settled, and the machine and help available when wanted, we believe it is best to thrash direct from the shock. This, however, occurs only once in a while. The weather east of the Missouri cannot be depended upon, neither can thrashing machines nor help at this season of the year. Even when help can be obtained it is higher priced than later. The farmers by stacking their grain and letting it go through the sweat can change work and get through with very little outside labor. The probability is that the wheat will be put in the market in better condition and bring as good or better price. Forty years ago the man who was near the mill had an early variety of grain, and thrashed from the shock in nine cases out of ten got a better market than if he stacked and thrashed later. The price of wheat now is not determined by the local mill, but by the general market and this again is determined not by the supply in the county or state, or even the United States, but by the markets of the world. Before any Iowa farmer can thrash his grain now, grain will be pouring in from Texas, Kentucky, Kansas and Missouri; in fact it is beginning to come into market already.

Our conclusion, therefore, is that except in exceptional circumstances it is best to stack and begin thrashing as soon as the grain is in the right condition.