Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1846-07-24
AGRICULTURAL,

ed with the subject admit, the most proper
time for cutting is when they are in full
bloom-and it is also admitted that they
should be cured in the shade because il
exposed TO the more direct influence of the
sun and air. some of their valuable proper
ties would be evaporated.
We know there is some difference OF
opinion in regard to the proper time for
cutting grass. The advocates for ripe hay
contend that there is more substance 10 It.
and that it will go farther in feeding stock
than that cut while in blossom. And so
we suppose there is still more substance
In scrub oak brush, and that it would go
still farther in feeding mot supporting
stock. Admitting there is more substance
in wild grass, is it a kind of substance
which affords more. nourishment to ami
mails.
Plants, at the time of Towering, contain
starch, gum and sugar all of which are
known TO nourish animals. In the forma-
ton of seed. the stems and leaves are ex-
hausted Of these substances, and the sub
stance which remains is chiefly woody f.
bre. But it may be said that the compo
sition of woody fibre. starch and gum are
nearly the same. Admitted; but this does
not prove that animals are able to extract
nearly an equal amount of nourishmenl
from each. The composition of the dia
mOnd, the hardest Of all substances, may
be said to he similar to that of starch, gum,
&C., carbon being the chief element of all;
but the digestive organs of animals would
hardly be able to convert the diamond into
organized tissue. And though woody fl
bre, if eaten by cattle or sheep. might
'stick by The ribs we think the ribs would
not acquire much fat from it or the system
much strength.
In some parts Of the country, animals
are actually faltened for market on hay a
lone. This may sound strange to those
who feed their stock only with clover and
timothy which has gone to seed for we
presume their stock was never thus fatten-
ed. But where this object is attained, the
grass is cut while it is quite green-not
past boom-and there made and preserved
with great care. 1t is true that there are
some kinds Of grass, as the 'spire grass or
Kentucky blue grass which make but
little bulk in seed-stalks, the chief growth
consisting Of leaves that spring from the
root. The greatest value in fodder would
be obtained in such cases by allowing the
crop to grow till it had acquired its great
est bulk. This remark, however, by no
means applies to clover, timothy, or the
grasses usually cultivated for hay.
In making hay, we would expose it to
the sun and air no more than is necessary
to effect its preservation, for the same rea-
son tina! is above given concerning herbs.
Clover can be cured, indeed it is more con-
veniently cured, with but very little expo
sure TO the sun. Il it is not wet and is
thoroughly wilted, it may be put with forks
into cocks, which will weigh. when dry,
about fifty pounds each, and they will eff
tectuaIiy cure. Timothy, also, may be
cured in this manner. The finer grasses,
when thrown into body, PACK more close.
ly, and afford less space for the air con-
sequentIy they require TO be more thinIy
spread in making.
Excepting with clover, whicll we never
spread out of swath, our practice has been
to spread out the swaIhs as evenly as pos
slble, it the burden is stout, as soon as the
dew is off; in the afternoon rake and cock
it before the dew falls. We prefer putting
1t iii. cocks, even if it was no more than
wllted, because the sweating it will there
undergo in the course Of twelve hours, will
much facilitate the making, and if the grass
is coarse and hard, twill render it much
more soft. Besides, hay that has been
we'll s~eated in cock is not liable to fer
ment in the stock or NOW.
Whether the hay which was moved
and put in cocks the first day will make
20 that it will 90 to GO to the barn on the
second day, depends of course on its con-
dltIon, and the state of the weather. If all
appearances indicate that the hay can be
made sufficiently on the second day, land
repeated observations only can determine
the degree of dryness which is required
open the cocks and shake the hay out
lightly. thoroughly breaking all the locks
with the forks. But it should not lay
spread ont later than three or four O'Clock
In the. afternoon, but should be pu. up a.
galn' Or if dry enough. put in the barn by
this time, lest it should contract moisture.
IT from the condition of the hay or the ap-
Pearance Of the weather, there is any pro-
liability that the hay be made enough
IN one day, let it remain undis,urbed ill
the weather is favorable.