The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1855-07-21

Hay and Ua,-NaLsn-
a scascnable subject. truly, but one upon
which VIC can aorc 90 say little that will hc
new to all our reaae1s. INT there are .o.re
things which need to be repeated. as the sea.
son for attention to the subject returns, 50 We
recall some facts and SUGGESTIONS on llav and
Hav-maSiag. In what stage of its growth
grass should he cut and how it should he cur
ed, are questions of considerable Importance
but questions which not vet au,horiti,c-
~ decided. We will state some s.,.ts relative
10 both Snhimt- r---- r .,.o..n,rr~ ant
ana!ogy-but hearing mere particularly in
favor Of early cutting and shade curing. which
are thought ty i.iany of orr most in.rllicent
farmers, 70 secure the creates; nu,ri,;,e vain,
of the hay.
Chemistry shows us that all plants ccntair;
the largest amount Of matter soluble ia w,,rr
at the period Of Towering, and tha. the sur,r
and gluten of the grass, and few other soln-
hlc ingredients, constitute its chief ysIu. ,e
food tor animals. These rapidl.- .ii,, ;nisl, as
the seed forms. changing into i,so.t:s!c wood,
tlbre. and the har. which should. As Car as MAJ
ne resemble grass in lis most j,erf,t; state. !,
worth much less fnot made until after ,ha,
period. There are hut few exceptions 10 thi.
rule, among these are the Kentucky llpc
grass. the June grass AMI some others. which
furnish but a slight amoun. Of item and -,
most valuable for their leaves. They con-
tinue growing through the summer. and berrc
NAV stand far past the ilowernr age ben,tir;.
allr
Those who advise cuttin. h,r when N.
seed is fullr formed, bring forward as an arru-
m"nf IN favor of the practice. tte fact that
hay made from ripe grass Yields the ,r.,,es,
anlonnt OF extract when boiled. and mus.
therefore contain most nutrimens, but il i
now shown that the boiling very impo,f.c,l,
initiates the process of digestion. and both an
aysiS, and experiment with the livin. animal,
confirm the fact that the best hsv is ,!,,, made
from grass and properly cured when ueare..
the period Of bl">sominc.
The process o, curing which shall mos, ,,cr.
'ectlv retain the nntritive properties pressr.
in the plant. is the best rrocess. In ,,rs;nr
herbs for medicinal and culinary uses the ex-
perienre OF MANY centuries tescbrs that lr,-
ING IN the shade is the only way TO secure. 10
ITS fullest extent. the desired object. In ma.
KING hay Tins cannot b" entirely accom:liSbca.
but The plan which follows it most closclx
that II curing in the swaih and cock, il a GOOD
and safe one-advantaseous also. as requiring
less exposure TO injury from rain .h,n anx
other
Clover hay and coarse herds grass csrec-
tally. need g. be cured in this way, as when
dry. many leaves AMI blossoms drop of and
are lost by the handling necessary to gather
and secure them. When moved, let the grass
get fairly wiltel and the external moisture
dried oil while in the swath, with perhaps. a
single thorough shaking up and spreading. and
then be put into cocks, and it may lie secured
with very little loss. The partial fermcnta-
ton or sweating which it undergoes csus-
eS but slight change in its constituent parts
save that II separate the water therefrom.-
and. after s!an'!in: thus twenty hours; it needs
but little atier-tendlns to prepare il for the
NOV or stacks, and has far less of that harsh
or strawy tendency which il would possess IL
cured IN different manner. Care should bc
exercised IN curing in this way, not to put up
the hay before it is fully wilt..l, SO that the
cocks bc small and we'll constructed. 50 that
the sweating process NAV not be carried
10 excess, and induce SO great fermentation
As to decompose the sugar OF the har-chanr-
ing 1t TO alchoho! and ca,bonatc acid.
The weather has great influence on the
value Of the HAY crop. but that is a matter w..
!ond our control. ]: one has hay down and
the weather proves chanseabIe, with frc,,ucns
showers. the less the hav is stirred the l.t,,r
tor IT will retain IFS value while living wet IN
the swa,h, much longer than if disturbed with
repeated dryinss and MISUNDERSTANDING 80
INJURIES hay As washing hy rains. and this. If
many times repeated, will totally destroy its
value.