The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-06-14
When to Cut Timothy.

This is also, like the point we have just
been discussing, still somewhat OF mooted
uuestion-at least there some who sun con
tend that it should be fully ripe before 1t Is
harvested. And though since half inclined
to an opinion of this sort, experience has la!iy
convinced us Of its incorrectness lhat STOCK
greatly prefer hay that has been cut early
while the sap is all in the stalk and blade over
that which is fully ripe, can no longer De
question with any one who has tried the eX-
periment of offering a horse or a COW bunch
of each at the same time They invariably
Law hold of the former, leaving the ripe un-
touched, till that is exhausted. Ii grass is al
lowed to stand till dead ripe. stock will hard
" eat it all, even preferring poor bright
straw.
The philosophy Of the matter seems TO be-
that early cut hay retains all the sap and sac
charine matter of grass, and IN fact 1t IS grass
simply deprived ofits moisture. But It allowed
to stand till fully ripe. the sap partly returns
to the ground, and is partly used up in the for
nation of the seed, leaving little more than a
dry stalk. 1t is we'll known that cattle Will
not eat grass, if such is proper term, after
it has turned brown with age, and why they
sbould prefer !. whom and placed IN the
rack. would, If it were fact, be also mys-
terry.
We should say that the proper time to cut
timothy is as soon as the blossom has fallen.
and little earlier would be preferable 10 later.
1t should certainly be cut before the heads be-
gin to turn brown at the top. Some object TO
cutting when the blossom is still on. because
of the dust made by the pollen. which they
saw created a cough and 'heaves' in horses.
If there be any truth in this, land we rather
suspect it TO be = hallucination.) IL Is better
no, TO cut grass when in full bloom. But We
can hardly see how so harmless a dust as pol
len can produce such results.
CUrrrNf AND CURING.-Grass should be
dry when it is cut and ii possible should have
but one nights dew, and not drop of rain.
The least wet is an injury, especially 10 grass
that is cut green. Never turn or stir, unless
very heavy. until dry enough to rake up, and
if hauled to the barn without cooking. much
labor will be saved. II not fully cured, how
ever, IL Is DETER 10 'cocA L II, aHd &c IL stiHo
few days. To salt green hay. in order 10
save it. is Of little avail A, least so we think
How TO DESTROY RArs-Sir Humphrey
Davy recommends the following recipe as
being tastelsss. edoresS. snd impalpable:
Carbonate of barytes, two ounces. mixed with
one pound of grease. Il produces great
thirst, and death Immediately after drinking
thus preventing the snimsis going back to
their holes. To prevent accident to dogs.
cats. and poultry, it should be spread on the
inside of an iron or TN vessel hung with wire
bottom upwards. over beam. just high
enough for rat TO pass under easily.
To PREVENT MKrALs FROM RusrrSG.-Mels
together three parts Of lard and one part of
rosin in powder. A very thin coating, ap-
piled with brush, viii preserve Russia iron
stoves and CRATES from rus,ing during sum
mer, even in damp situations. For this pur-
pose. a portion Of black lead may be mixed
with the lard. The effect is equally good on
brass. copper. steel. &c. The same compound
forms an excellent waterproof paste for
leather. Boots. when treated with it, will
soon after take the usual polish when BACKED,
and the soles may be saturated with it with
out danger of soil.ng the door. - it does no:
rub of.