Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-06-29

ripe, out that the meadow - lIn-
proved by late cutting. Medicin-
al plants are supposed to contain
the largest quantity, and the
greatest perfection, all their Pc
culiar qualities when cut at the
period Of full bloom, and, in order
to retain these qualities in their
full perfection, they are cured en-
tirely in the shade. Judging
from analogy, and aside from ex.
perience, we should be. in favor Of
cutting most kinds of grass just
at the time the blossoms are fall
ing. In regard to timothy, which
constitutes the principal grass for
hay grown in the valley of the
Ohio, it has been found from prac-
teal experience that the most
proper period for cutting this
grass is, while the seeds are soft
and just before they are fully
ripe.
CURING HAY.-Where is it prac-
ticable, it is always best to cure
hay in the cock. 1t retains more
Of its juices and is more sweet,
fragrant, and a better color than
when cured in the ordinary way.
II should remain in the swath un-
til it is wilted and the external
moisture entirely expelled, when
it should be turned and allowed
to remain for a few hours, and
then raked and cooked in the
evening before the dew begins to
fall. In this way it will undergo
a sweating which will facilitate
the curing and improve and soften
the quality Of the hay, and when
it has undergone q slight sweat it
is much less liable to ierment and
injure in the stock. If the wealth
lis favorable, after twenty-lour
or forty-eight hours. the cocks
should be turned and the hay
lightly shaken out and remain for
q short time. when it will be in a
more soft and better condition to
stack than if made entirely in the
sun. Time is even gained by
this method Of curing, as the halt
dries much more readily when y
has been slightly sweated.
CLovER-TME OF CUTTING, Cur
ING, &c.--Clover, when properly
cured, makes a hay which all an.
finals eat with avidity, but it re.
quires more care in curing and viii
bear less handling without injury
than any other Of the grasses
The proper time for cutting clover
is when about one-third of the
blossoms have turned brown
Clover that is cut in the morning
should be put into cocks the same
day il is cut, if the weather i.
such as to dry of the dew; at any
rate, it should never remain in the
swath exposed to the sun and ali
until the leaves are dry enough
to crumble, but should be pitched
into cocks Of about fifty pound,
each, when the curing will pro
coed according to the state of the
weather. IL the air be dry, tn,
curing may be completed in ont
day, butt oftner requires two o.
three days to ring the hay in I
fit condition to stack. 1t shoult
be examined from day to day t
see how the process of curing nd
vances. Before it is hauled in
the cocks should be turned an,
thrown lightly open until tn,
moisture caused by the sweatin,
has escaped.
Clover hay, stacked withou
shelter, is much more liable to in
jure than other kinds Of hay, an,
unless the top Of the stacks pro
teot it much oil it will be los,
If wheat or rye straw is at hand
and with a little care in laying u
the stacks, they may be entirel,
protected from the rain in the fol
lowing manner: When the stacl
has been raised until it is desire
to begin to contract it, or draw
: in toward the top, place a layer {
! straw on the edge of the STAG
and lot the ends project or han
over the sides continuing tn
courses Of straw as you rise to tn
top-this will eilectually protec
the hay from the rain. In stack
! ing clover, six quarts Of salt sho'
; be scattered through every ton ,
it is laid up. Timothy hay is a
so improved by adding salt but
: less quantity will answer.
In England the farmers ha,
adopted very perfect method
ventilating clover haystacks.
is upon the same principle of IL
newly invented meal and grai
barrels, it is accomplished in tn
!, way: Take a large stack, say
inches or two feet in diamete
n and four or five feet long, fillit vii
a chaff, OF some other light materii