Stooks of oats, containing up to 20 sheaves, were carried by pony or ass to the haggard and made up into stacks of between 50 and 60 stooks. The stack rested on a circle of tree branches and stones about 1.50m in diameter and was built to a height of almost 3m. Furze (whin) thorns and, on occasion, sheep dip were added to the foundation to discourage rats. The stack was thatched with hay and rushes and roped with the eave of its conical top projecting about 150mm beyond the base.