Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-07-30
TINE FOR CUTTING GRASSES.

In cutting clover, farmers generally Judge
of the time from the appearance of the
heads, rather than from an examination of
the seed. Many prefer the time for cutting
when one third part of the heads have turn
ed dark color.
Orchard grass, when it grows large, should
be cut when in bloom, else the stocks will be
too dry and hard to be relshed by stock. As
this grass grows rapidly, and needs cutting
rather carly, it is well adapted to growing
with clover, as it should be cut about the
same time.
As to the time of cutting Herds grass,
there are different opinions some prefer the
time when it is in blossom, others when the
seed is well grown, that is full, as we say of
corn. This was subject of debate at the
agricultural meeting, at the State House,
last winter, in which different views and
reasons were Offered.
Judging from experience, and reasoning
from analogy, we prefer cutting Herds grass
when the seed is full. We reccollcct that
there was time when it was considered
that the best period for cutting this grass
was when it is in blossom but after long OK
pcrience, farmers generally changed their
minds on this subject, and had it not been for
the standing of men who still advocated the
early cutting of grass, we should have thou't
that this practice ranked with the whims and
prejudices of our iorctathers.
We have observed, that grass cut when in
blossom, not only makes farlcss bulk of hay
but far less weight, and though cattle might
at first take hold of the early cat fodder more
eagerly, they would after awhile leave it for
that which was well grown and cut in its
prime. The early cut grass, even when dry
and made into hay, still resembles grass,
and has less substance.
We think that there is no point Of time in
which herds grass, and plants in general,
used as fodder, grains SO fast in nutriment,
as from the time they blossom till the seed is
full grown. The English writer's recon-
mend cutting grass when it is ripe, and VIC
believe that the time of ripcnng, as consid-
cred by them, is when the seed is fall, for
when the seed is full it is wripc, so far as
vegetation is concerned. We have found
that some seeds, and all that we have tried
have vegetated on being planted as soon as
fully grown, thoughsolt and green as we con-
slider it, judging from appearance.
We do not depend on chemical analysis
of English authors as to the amount of nu
trimcnt in grasses, cut at different periods
as we depend more on the weight of hay and
its effect on stock.
In reasoning from analogy, we find much
in favor of the position that we have taken.
We believe that almost every farmer. who
would choose the most favorable time for
cutting corn, oats, barley, or any other grain
or any plants, in order to have the creates,
amount of nutriment for stock, would choose
as late time as that in which the seed wa.
well grown.
We believe that if corn be cut up when
the seed is inll, that there would he more nu-
trImcnt in the stalks, than at an earlier per-
iod, to say nothing of the grain.-And stalks
are not cut till after the corn is full and RI
pcnng, it is not thought they lose any thing
for some time after the grain is full.
1t is not expected that farmers can cut all
their grass at the most suitable period, when
they have much to do but it is important
to know the best time that every one may
come as near it as possible. Some grass
must of course be cut rather before the proper
time, else great deal will remain, too long.