OF SCOTLAND.

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lique ropes may secure the thatch from being blown off forsome time; and in such emergencies, the whole ricks belong-ing to a farm may be left for a time in this state. The wholefabric is effectually secured by a similar and opposite series ofstraw-ropes, put in the same manner on the other side of theroof, and obliquely crossing the first series of ropes. Whenthus finished, the entire roof is covered by a net-work of lo-zenge-shaped meshes, all the sides of every one of which arein a direction obliquely downwards, to facilitate the descentof moisture, either from rain or melting snow.

Some farmers use staddles, or circular frames of timbersupported on feet, which arc made of wood, stone, or cast-metal, so constructed as to prevent mice and rats from gettinginto the ricks, where they sometimes become very numerous,and produce great ravages. These vermin likewise contami-nate the grain by their dried ordure, much of which cannotbe separated in any of the after processes of threshing anddressing for market. These staddles are likewise extremelyuseful for assisting to preserve the grain crop from injury indamp weather. Being open below, and the timber frame onwhich the rick is built being likewise open, that is to say,composed of spars, they admit the air to circulate with greatfreedom through the bodies of the ricks; more especiallywhen aided by a central funnel or air hole, carried up therick while building, to be afterwards mentioned.

In damp harvests, it is often extremely difficult to get thegrain sufficiently dry for being stacked in safety ; and it iswell known, that grain, which is put up in a raw state, is apteither to heat or grow mouldy, both of which are extremelyinjurious, whether the grain may be intended for the use ofman or of domesticated animals. Heating in the stack is oc-casioned by the natural sap remaining in the straw, whichbrings on a vegetative or fermenting process, somewhat ana-logous to malting, and very much deteriorates the colour, fla-vour, and quality of the grain. If not checked in time, by