[LibWhacker]

Back in the 60s, I helped build a couple of hundred of these things. Usually out of 90 to 110-lb bales. Except in Kansas, farmers like to go much higher. Never seen such huge haystacks as in that state. You didn't want to fall off the stack, that's for sure. Much later, vandals started setting fire to them for kicks. Never heard of switchel, though. Nasty hard work, bailing hay. Always done during the hottest part of summer.

[2Trievers]

What an interesting subject ... haystacks! &;-)

Claude Monet
Haystacks
1890

Hill-Stead Museum

[2Trievers]

These HARDLY match up to yours! LOL &;-)

[blackdog]

I now leave the baler in the shed. I still cut and rake into doubled up swaths, but I have a custom baler come. It takes him 1/2 hour to bale a 20 acre stand of hay into 1200lb. bales (4'x8'). I fabricated a spear assy for the tractor and the whole field is in the barn and stacked in three hours. Still that same intoxicating smell of fresh hay, but something is lost when doing it the new way. I guess what is lost is that trip to the doctor and a week on the couch after each crop.