How to Make a Scarecrow Using Corn Stalks

Scarecrows are often used on farms to scare away birds.

Scarecrows are used as a decoy to scare birds away from newly planted crops. Birds have been problematic to farmers for centuries. Farmers have used various machinery in the past to protect crops from birds, says Henry Hartshorne, M.D, the author of House Hold Cyclopedia of 1881.The scarecrow has been successful in scaring birds away from crops because it is shaped like a human form. Birds aren't able to tell that it's not a human from far away, and are more likely to shun fields with a scarecrow among the crops. Scarecrows are often used because they are cheap and easy to make. You can also leave them out in bad weather without having to worry that any expensive equipment will get ruined.

Things You'll Need

• 2-by-4 of wood with one end cut at a point
• Corn stalks for stuffing
• Pair of old jeans
• Old shirt
• Old hat
• Twine

Instructions

1. Stake the 2-by-4 into the ground where you want your scarecrow to be placed.

2. Stuff the old jeans and shirt with the corn stalks.

3. Create a round shape from the corn stalks for a head. You may need to cut the stalks into shorter pieces bend them into a circle. Tie the stalks into place with twine.

4. Tie the pants to the 2-by-4, then add the shirt on top of the pants. Tie both shirt and pants securely with twine.

5. Add the round corn stalk shape on top of the shirt to form a head. Tie it securely with twine, place the hat on the head and secure it with twine.

Tips & Warnings

• Use bright colored clothing for a fall decoration.

• Dress the scarecrow in a costume for Halloween.

References

• "Vegetables"; The American Horticulture Society; 1974
• "Household Cyclopedia"; Henry Hartshorne, M.D.; 1881