The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-06-19
From the Norristown (Pa.) Eagle.
Hay-makinR.


H.y-m.king.
There probably few labors involved in the manage
ment OF farm more important than that OF making
The crop OF hay be the chief reliance OF the farmer
feeding. however much great may be the assist
be derives from grain and roots He make
snbserye his purpose entirely though he possesses
able aduncts in the work Still hay the great staple
the principal and main reliance during winter IL is,
therefore, Of the very first importance that this crop
should be well cured consequently any Suggestions hay
ing tendency 10 ameorate the quality OF the product,
while at the same time il shall effect dminuon OF the
expense involved in its acquson-in other words any
system that will enable the farmer to economic
third nehalf OF the labor usually expended in the
harvest, with actual benefit 10 the hay-must be Of
practical value to the husbandan, and entitled to his
special attention and regard.
By moving ordinary grass in the first part OF the day
permitting merely 10 oat, and then, with horse
throwing II into mddng- sized and well compac win.
nows and making into grass cocks" OF from sixty to
eighty or hundred pounds weight. as circumstances
may appear TO demand-the crop will be in condition to
"Hidke" without any further trouble and in manner,
too which will render il perfectly bright. elastic, and
sweet and far nutrve than hay cured in the ord
nary way by exposure TO the sun Good grass cured in
this manner will always be characterized by green and
lively color and the peculiar aroma, pleasant in hay
fields, will be distinguished in the barns The succu-
green s grass perhaps one Of Us mos, attractive
the desiccaton OF the native juices than the same when
cured by exposure Excessive drying the stalks
TO become brittle, and much is in consequence lost in
making, especially the crop is cut when very green
not fully rpened Upon the old plan frequent spread
ings and o.sngs were considered necessary The field
must be raked carefully and the next day perhaps the
cocks again spread out, cooked again, and again
opened; and until the fibre is broken up and
dered so fine that cleanliness in securing is impossible
and the waste Of time in performing these operations is,
after all not 10 be reckoned the most important loss in
voved in a system which has nothing to recommend il to
the attention and SURFACES OF the farmer unless be
merely the negative excelency of being old The labor
of curing hay, under this regime is intense II is per-
formed necessarily, in the hottest part OF the day. and
the time expended in its performance is by
item of small Insignificant consequences for in the hay
season time is always valuable. BY pursuing this
plan, and using horse-rake, the surface of the soil is
such as 10 admit OF its successful action three men will
easily perform the labor OF the old plan, unasssed
by the rake. This know to be fact not only from
observation but the assertion OF my friends, who have
| tested both methods for series OF many years This
fact proved late writer Of much critical knowledge
and great practical experience in matters pertaining to ag
rieulture, in remarks upon the value of the hay
crop and the best and most enomca method OF curing it,
says!
!. Hay cured in this way"-i O., in the manner above
dsscrbed--"is OF greater value and will command a
higher price in the market than hay made in the old
way by spreading out thin and drying in the sum- until il
loses its fragrance and green color The principal adj
vantage OF the new method over the old consists in
some measure in drying the shade the hay not being
spread out very thin the fragrance and portion oil the
juices thereby retained and all the labor Of spread
ing the first day is saved praciised the new method
vantages No intelligent farmer who will reflect upon
the subject, and follow the new mode few years, will
ever 90 back TO the cid way ! am aware that to farm
OF the most agricultural districts my sugges
tons may to be grauitous, as they have already
adopted the mode"
friend 10 whom some years since recommended the
system OF grasscock curing and who adopted II in part
assured me- but the reverse, wrote last fol-
lows
81 have now wholly fallen into your views in refer
ence to the superior economy Of curing in grass cock