The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1841-08-03
AGRICULTURAL.
From the Yankee Farmer.
TINE FOR CUTTING GRASSES.

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 turned a dark
color.
Orchard grass, when it grows large, should
be cut when in bloom, else the stalks will be
too dry and hard to be rclishcd by stock. As
this grass grows rapidly, and needs cutting
rather early, it is well adapted to growing with
clover, as it should be cut about the same
time.
As the to time of cutting Herds grass, there
are different opinions; some prefer the time
when it is in blossom, others when the seed is
grown, that is, full, as we say of corn. This
was a subject of debate at the agricultural
meeting, at the State House, last winter, in
which different views and reasons were offer.
cd.
Judging from experience, and reasoning
from analogy, we prefer cutting, herds grass
when the seed is full. We recollect that there
was Il time when it was considered that the
best period for cutting this grass was when it
is in blossom; but after long experience. far
mers 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 thought that this prac-
tice ranked with the whims and prejudices of
cur foreiathers.
We have observed, that grass cut when in
blossom, not only made far less bulk of hay,
but far less weight, and though cattle might at
first take hold Of the early cut fodder more ca
gerly, they would after a while leave it for
that which was we'll 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
rs fodder, gain SO fast in nutriment, as from
the time they blossom till the seed is full
grown. The English writers recommend
cutting grass when it is ripe, and We believe
that the time of ripcning, as considered by
them, is when the seed is full, for when the
seed is full it is ripe, so far as vegetation is
concerned. We have found that some seeds,
and al that we have tried, have vegetated on
being planted as soon as fully grown, though
soft and green as we consider it, Judging from
appearance.
We do not depend on chemical ANALYSIS of
English authors as TO the amount of n~utrinent
in grasses, cut at different periods, as we de-
pend 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 almoste 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 greatest amount OF
nutriment for stock, would choose as late a
time as that in which the seed was well grown.
No hnl.a-- fho% - 1z--
seed is full, that there would be more nutri-
ment IN the stalks, than at an earlier period, TO
say nothing of the gain. And if stalks are not
cut till after the corn is full and ripeninn. it is
not thought that they lose any thing for som
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 1t as possible. Some grass must of
course be cut rather before the proper time,
else a great deal will remain too lonq.
PROGRESS OF TEMPER CoI,r,
bia Republican of yesterday, saws. that the II
bors of Messrs. Wright and Pollard. tbe two
delegates from Baltimore, who talked to such
good purpose in this city, have added scpen
hundred names within a week to the total alb.
s~tinence societies in Hudson.-ADany Daily
= Advertiser.
The Product Of Observation-Disclosures is the
foundation of wealth. The sea renders her
tribute, but the earth presents to skill and in
dustry richer and infinitely varied contribu.
tons. Money is not wealth. 1t is only the
representative Of wealth. Money is coveted,
because it can command labor; but of what use
would 1t be if labor would not be commanded !?
nnat would ii avail 10 possess all the riches of
Iolosl, II thereby we could not procure The