The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-06-27
Aarienltnral.f
A SHORT CHAPTER ON HAY.

MEssRs. EDITORS THAT the great i'm
portance and value of the hay crop of our
country is known to every intelligent far
mer and stock feeder, is true. Doubt
fnl-EDs. But that farmers generally
are not fully aware of the vast superiority
of bright, sweet hay over the yellow mus
ty stuff which too frequently fills their
mows, is uotoriously true. That's fact.
EDS. Indeed, the mode of making hay
that has generally been recommended by
writer's on this subject is calculated, in
my humble opinion, to lead to an errone-
Gus practice. Many in consequence Of
their love of novelty, or in their great
hurry to arrive at perfection, have discard
ed in measure the good old rule of MAX
ing hay while the sun shines, and recon-
mend a system of cutting the grass so
green and putting it up with so little cur
ing, that it must result in partially at
least destroying the value of the hay.
That good hay cannot be made by cutting
the grass as green as it really should be
and putting it up the same day, is fire.
quently set forth as aconclusion deducted
from observation and experience. Hay
that is stored away before it is properly
cured, will invariably heat to, such a de-
gree as will destroy its value in asgreat
measure. Any person that both makes
and feeds the same hay with his own
hands, will soon notice the difference be-
tween. that which has been sufficiently
cured, and that which has not. He will
occasionally find some that has turned to
| q yellow color, and has a strong musty
scent, and by casting his mind back.to the
thine it was made, he will invariably recol-
lect that it was put up greener and heavier
than the rest.
To have the best quality of hay, the
grass should certainly be cut-sooner than
lis customary with most farmers. Cut be-
fore the seed ripens, in all cases, else the
stalk becomes hardened. and loses much
of it's nutricient quality. When the grass
| is in full bloom, is probably the best time
to cut as it is done growing, and if left
standing longer the stalk becomes woody,
and the blades die and dry up, which
diminish their value very much; and il
lieut. sooner, the hay is lessened in quantity
land probably in quality. Therefore my
advice Is to cut your grass while in full
bloom, cure it thoroughly, put itup neat
lily, and store it away plentifully in pro
portion to the stock you intend to winter
and my word for it if it comes out II
Jproper quantities, it will be of such
sparkling quality as will make your Dur
4 hams literally shed tears Of joy.
i Martins6sirg, Nay, 1855. KoKos1Na
Il REMARKS. This is good as far as i
I goes; but farmers should not only max
!. hay while the sun shines, but should c,t
hay while the sun shines, and not keep OF
moving througha succession of rainy days
Better let the hired men sleep or go fish
ing, than to be laying in mess of abom
niable fodder in this way; it is poor econ
omy. Then in curing, have all the ha
!, raked and cooked at night. A heay
dew is destructive Of good hay when sprea
over the field. If the hay cannot b
thoroughly dried before putting away,
3 thick layer of dry straw between ever
$ few feet of hay, will absorb much of tn
:. moisture, and of itself furnish a goo
] fodder besides. AS friend of the poe
: brutes, we insist upon their having goo
3 bright, sweet hay, and these arc some I
e the ways to get it.-EDs. O. CuAivato