The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-07-16
CURING HAY.

CURING HAY.
The following from the pen Of William
Little, we copy from the fifth annual 70.
port of the Ohio State Board of Agricul.
ture: ge
Much difference of opinion and practice
exists as to the proper time and manner Of
cutting and curing hay. A writer in a late
number Of the Ohio Cultivator, has called
the attention Of its readers to the fact that
the greater portion Of hay made in this
State will not winter stock without loss
OF flesh. If this is true, which have some
reason to believe, it is fact disgraceful
10 our reputation as an agricultural com.
munitv. 1t becomes then, matter Of
some consequence 10 know when is tho
right time and which is the best mode Of
preparing grass for winter food. tits OBJ.
vious TO the most careless mind that the
object ofthe farmer ought to be to preserve
the hay in the condition most resembling
grass in its highest perfection. Now this
time is certainly not before the blade and
leaves are fairly formed and done growing,
because then too much water is present,
and the sa charine and solid matter not
fully developed; consequently, drying it
loses greatly in weight and in nutritive
qualities. Neither is it (as most men sup.
pose) when the seed is fully formed and
partly ripe, the blade having assumed .
yellow color, because then the juices of tho
grass have become converted into woody
fiber and seed, and the blade is but little
better than so much straw. The right
time must be, then, when the grass is pass
ing out of blossom, when the juices Of tho
stalk are still remaining there; when the
leaves are still green. and the whole. plant
full of those nourshing qualities which
make your cows almost believe in winter
that grass has come again.
The practice of your wives in preparing
their garden herbs for winter use will
show you my meaning. They do no,
wait until their sage has become dead and
dry before they cut it. The careful house.
wife watches the moment when the herb 10
in the transition state. When the stalk
and the leaves and the blossoms, being
fully formed are just ready to change,
then her sharp knife is put into requisition
carefully is it spread out to dry-cars-
fully is it bagged when dry; and when
sausage time comes, and the bag is open.
ed, the pleasant flavor impaired 10 the saw
ory meat gives evidence that she is bef--
ter farmer, in her department. than her
consequential husband. 1t is perfectly
easy to have sweet-smelling green-looking
hay come out of your NOW in March. 1t
wants little care and little sound judg.
ment, but when stern winters blasts howl
round your dwelling and your cattle crowd
beneath your sheds and under your straw
stacks, you will be amply repaid by their
sleek looks and satisfied countenances tor
the little extra care you have taken. .
When clover is sowed alone, great care
should be taken in harvesting. When the
growth is rank it often happens that it will
fall down before it is fit 10 cut. When
this happens it ought to be cut at once and
cured as best you can, or fed out to your
stock, but if it does not lodge, it ought to
be permitted to stand until about one half
the blossoms have turned brown, then cut
it, and if the day is very hot and the sun
shines bright do not shake it out, but let it
remain in the sun. swarthing it once or
twice in the course Of the day; this pre-
serves the leaves which would likely be lost
by spreading out thinly in the sun. In
the evening rake it up and cock it in small
cocks.
If the weather is fine the next day, tho
cocks may be overturned and shaken up
lightly, so that the air will pass freely
through them. In the evening it may be-
hauled TO the barn, without any danger Of
spelling. In cloudy or showery weather
more time is necessary; and here your
judgment must be your guide, Clover hay
thus prepared will keep cattle well in win
ter and cause COWS TO keep up their supply
Of milk.
Timothy grass is always later in the sea.-
son than clover, and is generally about
ready to cut when the latter is harvested,
it ought to be cut when the pollen or blos-.
SONS are falling, as at that time it is in its.
highest perfection as grass. The same
general rule for its cure may be observed
as before stated; but it scarcely ever re.
quires so much time and care as clover;
possibly more woody fibre and less waterI
have frequently-especially toward tho
after Of hay making-cut and hauled in
On the same day. The day and the cir.
however, were always favor.
able. when have done this, and it will not
10 to adopt it as general rule.
I By pursuing this method Of cutting both
IF these grasses, and indeed all other kinds.
you secure speedy growth for second
crop. which would not be so certain if left
o become more mature, the roots Of tho
plants being partially or totally exhausted
~ the process of ripening, and q general
endency to decay having taken place