Lay a tier of bundles through the central part half the length of the
stack, alternating heads and buts, then lay a course around with the
heads lapping across the middle tier; now another tier through the
center, and two courses around it; then another tier at center and
courses around, until the center is three or four feet higher than the
outside, depending on size of the stack, and the last course laid laps
half way from head to band on the outside course of the stack. It will
be seen that while building the main part of the stack, the courses were
laid from outside to center, and while filling the middle or putting in
the stuffing, the courses are laid from center towards outside. Now
commence outside, lay a course, heads out, half way from band to but on
outside course; in small stacks omit last instruction; then turn buts
out, lap half and lay to center; then lay a course around outside,
neither laying out or drawing in.
Now comes a point that should not be overlooked: lay a course, buts out,
lapping half way from heads to band on outside course; then lap half and
lay to center.
The reason for laying the buts of second course half way from heads to
band is to give the buts of the next outside course above a chance to
rest firmly on the course below, leaving no unoccupied space; if the
buts of second course were laid out to the band of outside course, then
the next outside course above, being drawn in, would rest one-third of
the way from band to but, on the buts of the course below, leaving a
space for rain to drive in and wet the stack. Draw in outside course
rapidly; lay buts of second course half way from head to band on outside
course as long as stack top is large enough; keep middle well piled up.
A stack can be drawn in very rapidly, without danger of taking in water
from a protracted rain, even if the outside of the stack grows green, no
sheaf will be found wet above the band, and the middle of stack dry, for
the buts of outside course will form a thatch roof to protect the stack.
The placing of a few top bundles is a matter of small importance. If a
stack has been properly built it will receive but little injury if top
bundles should blow off. A strand or two of wire, with sticks or stones
at the ends to weight them down, will usually hold the top in place.