Re:storing straw for the future..

[Janice <xline@thegrid.net>]

As a rancher/farmer/gardener/contractor...etc...it never really occured
to me that there was a right way or wrong way to stack hay/straw outdoors.
But....there is.  We had always done it one way...and it is like this:


                 ___________
                I    I          I   I
                I          I         I         Problem here is water sits on
top...pushes down and makes
                I     I         I    I         puddles which slowly drip down in the
straw, 20% losses
                I          I         I         possible...and more!
                I     I         I    I
when bales are delivered by a squeeze,
they are in a large block, very flat on the
top.  If unloaded by hand, most people
stack hay just like this.  OK if you use it
up quickly..but to wrap with a tarp and
keep rain off during the winter, put a bale
on the top, full length of the stack, then
tarp..secure tarp by attaching to bale strings
or..bleach bottles filled with sand, throw over
the top on string..or ...tires..works best but
is pretty heavy to handle..
                            ___
                    ____I__I____
                    I     I        I    I
                    I          I         I     Top bale creates slant on the tarp
which will cause the
                    I     I         I    I     water to run off edge of tarp..keeps
puddling to minimum
                    I           I        I      and very little loss.
                    I     I         I    I

Anyway, it's real basic, but a small mistake that can cost you a bunch..same
principle when tarping your unfinished home..have to make a tent, or pyrmid
to get the  water to continue on and not stop and puddle.  box beams are
great for catching lots of water...any Personal Experiences out there on this one?
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah       aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
hope it helps any newbee's...
dave(lilpig)
Three Little Pigs Construction
"Have Plaster Gun, Will Travel"
 http://www.thegrid.net/xline