The air channels are essential. For if moist bagasse bales are stacked into a pile without air channels, there will
still be enough air within the pile to permit attack on the bagasse fiber by aerobic cellulolytic micro—organisms; the moisture will be retained. thereby promoting a continuing attack; and as there is no air circulation, the temperature of the pile will rise quite rapidly and degradation by thermophylic cellulolytic microorganisms will intensify.