Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-07-04
AprftuIturdI.
From tho Allan, Culuvator.
HAY MAKING.

We think II best to cut grass for hay, ne
near as possible to the time when ii is in
fullest bloom. or course, II il is GU. when
most Of It is in that state, some may be
lnllc past and some may not have quite
reached full bloom. We know there has
heretofore been some difference of opinion
as to the stage grass should be in when il is
cut, hu, we believe the experience of the
best farmers is in ogrcemen, with the posi-.
ton above assumed Those who are In
the habit Of curing herbs cut them when
in ,hi. Stage, because il is known that they
contain at that time the mos, of that peculiar
principle from which they derive their ef.
ficacy and value The sacharne or sugar
principle; which constitutes one of the chief
sources of nu,rumenl in heritage, is found
in the greatest quantity at the period OF
bloom. |: sometimes becomes expedicnt to
cut grass before il has reached this state
particular when it falls down, and Is in
danger of souring or rot,ing. When this
happens, il should be cut, whatever state it
may be in, because if it remain on the
ground it will spoil, and the fermentation
which takes place, will destroy the roots
Another great advantage in cutting grass
before the seed forms is that the roots arc
not so much exhausted and the after growth
is much moro vigorous.
In some parts ofthe country, it is the
practice 10 nov the grass and lei it lie I'M
touched on the ground, thro' sunshine and
shower tor several days before II is stacked
or put in the barn. 1t sqnite common to
begin Monday AMI continue to NOW till
Saturday, when with hand rakes and horse
rakes, all turn in, take it up and stack it
and this done too, without much regard to
the state of the weather ut the time il is
raked, or to what it may have been after it
was cut. The appearance of the animals
which are fed on hay thus managed, is evil
dence enough Of its worth lcssness.
Alter grass is cut and partly dried, il
ought never TO be exposed to wet or dew
The best way is to spread out The mown
grass evenly, as soon as the wet has
dried off from ,he spaces between the
swathcs and before the evening, rake it and
put it in cock. Where the crop is heavy,
considerable time will be gained in making,
by Il is plan. If it is only wited when il
is put in cock, i will in a short time under
go sweat, which will much facilitate its
making when it is again opened 10 the sun.
Many good farmers believe TINT it will
make more in cock twelve hours, han e
will make in three days without being pu,
in cock.
In making clover hay. we are decidedly
in favor OF not exposing it much to the sun
after it is first wltcd We speak from tx
pcrieuce, having pracliced various modes,
and we are certain that j, may be madc
with less labor, and that it is CT far supercr
quality, when cured in cock. than nny othes
way. When the swailes are little wilted,
pitch them into cocks--Iaying it up il
such manner that twill stand the wealth
or, which is easily done by the exercise OF
little care. Examine Ire hay from day
to day to see how the process of curing adj
vanccs, and when it seems so well made
that with what it will dry with handling, i.
will do 10 pu, it in the barn or stack, turn
over the cocks, loosten up the bottom liua
with fork, and proceed to load it. Clo.
yer hay thu. cured, is not likely to hurt H.
the NOW or stack, and having every lea
and head saved, will lie found 10 be very MI
lritions and much relished by all animal
In fact we believe that Clover hay, proper
y cured, will make more flesh, milk, o,
butter, than any other hay pound for pound
The prejudice against clover has arisen
from the bad manner Of curing it, Knock
ed about as it frequently is, wet and dried
by turns, 1t loses its leaves and heads, md
becomes little else than a mass Of tastess
stems, which no animal will eat