If the stack is flat and as near an ellipse as the eye can judge, laying out and keeping the stack properly balanced will be very easy. Drive alternate loads on opposite sides of the stack; this will help to keep the stack properly balanced. If the eye detects a place that seems to be lower than the general level, it will be found that it was caused by laying out more there than at other points; to remedy this defect, draw in the next outside course at the low point, six, eight or ten inches, according to the depression. The greater the depression, the more it should be drawn in, and the next inside course at the low point should be shoved out nearly to the buts of the outside course, then continue to build as though nothing had happened. If a high place should be observed, the next outside course should be laid farther out, and inside course at this point drawn well in. Glance frequently over the stack and see if the outside presents the appearance of an ellipse, and keep a sharp lookout for high and low spots, for they will throw the stack out of balance. If the middle is too full, the outside will slip out, and an undesirable job of propping will begin. Put in two-thirds of what is intended for the stack before commencing to draw in. Drive so as to leave a little space between load and stack. Don't let a stack stand over night at this stage if it can be avoided, but put on the next two loads as quickly as possible, for the outside of the stack will settle rapidly. FILLING THE MIDDLE. 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.