The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-07-19
AGRICULTURAL.
HAVING. AND HARVESTING.

HAVING AND HARVESTING.
The great season OF incatherinS has come.
The best thought, and efforts Of the husband
raau must be given to it. Early and late.
every energy must be indu>t iousy applied.
Where large crops Of grass are to be cut all
cannot DE gathered at precisely the best time.
On this question of time there is much diff
erence of opinion among farmers. Could we
have our choice as TO the period OF gathering
hay we would prefer that immediately toll
lowing the full development of the blossom.
anl lust as the seed is forming. We believe
that at this point the largest amount of nutri
tous food is obtained. and that it is most ac
ceptable to all varieties of stock. But when
weeks are to be occupied in securing the hay
crop. som" must be gathered prematurc!v
and some when the tender and juicy stalk
has changed to the woody fibre.
Clover requires to berut early and should
be gathered when ma jority of the blossoms
have changed to brown. We take the fol-
lowing remarks on this subject from the last
number Of the Rural New Yorker.
As the season is rapidly approaching when
farmers will find active employment amid the
abors of having, few words relative there
to will, it nothing new be presented, at least
have the feature OF appropriateness.
In the culture and growth of every farm
product, it is matter Of Importance that the
various operations connected Herewith
should be performed at just the right Period.
50 that the results of labor expended may be
, as rcnumcrative as possible, and that each
crop, from seed time to harvest, shall pro-
gress and mature to a complete and full de-
velopement. This isa necessity, in order
that the ntrnts and purposes for which it is
raised may be adequately met.
The first great requirement Of the hay field
is yood tools. Cutting grass with dull
scvthe is hard mcrk, not alone for him who
swings it, but also for the producer. Skill
and ability will never make amends for poor
implements.
!, The second requisite, and not the least i'm
portant, is to have plenty of help, and that
OF the righ. kind. Agriculturalists are all a
ware ot,he close quarters into which they
have at times been pressed. and the exorbi-
!, tant demands to which they have been com
PEELED to submit This has not of necessity
~ become part of the system of American
farming. Each farmer, by careful surve.
Of his fields. can calculate with sutli lent ac.
turacy the time when his hay or grain viii
b" in readiness for cutting the amount ct
time necessary to complete this labor, and
!, !. extra help is needed, provide for it before
hand.
There is another feature. which should no,
only be characteristic Of the hav field bu,
Of all the operations of the farm. Hnre >y<
. tam. Business, of whatever nature, conduct
ed hap-hazard, will fall to the ground, ant
The soon"r - obituary is written the better
OI'ttr = !ItdNtn nrSt law u the attHGrl
~ is coo,!-none ran demand higher =
and We hope The principle will be exemplifi
, ed by the readers Of the Rural
i, The time TO cnt hay is question upor
which farmers differ Many contend, an,
with some show of reason. tina. grass shoul,
be Gu: ju.t at the time OF entering into bios
som. There will not at this period be a
heavy a yield of hay per acre, but mucl
more nutrition. and less amount will o,
farther in Keeping stock than if the seed b.
J.. allowed To ripen. One point of their argrl
ment-that plants, in arriving at maturity
rave large quantity the starch, sugar an,
cum. their most nutritive elements change,
INTO woody fbre-is inront"stiblv true. An
tn. other class occupy Just the opposite ground
nd and state that ;he head should be well ilIeo
wv before cutting. As arguments to sus.ai,
this position, it is claimed that stock will rel
! >h the food better. the grass is more readil,
r. cured and not So likely to become heated a
pr. when cut earlier. The mean between thes
nix two has It's advocates. Just in the milk,
et stage Of the seed is their doctrine. and it i
ay followed most strenuously. Does the tru
e mode in this. as in most other dsputations
le between the two extremes? Let pac]
q our readers consult bis own experience
an: answer.
The process Of curing, where practicable
Il! should be done in the cork. Grass thus re
"' tains its color aud its Juices, is sweeter an,
we more fragrant than when scattered th;nl
- and exposed 10 the influence Of the sun. I
~ should remain in the sun unit! the externa
moisture has evaporateG, and the grass be-
!" come wi,ed, then raked into vinrovs. 81
: made ny into cocks. This ought 70 be don,
previous 20 the falling of dew-never shoul,
!: 'he cut hay be permitted to lie spread owe,
q" the ground through the night. The tim,
necessary for it to remain in the field will BE-
y controlled BY the weather. and every farme,
Ct MIST Judge for himself when i, has arrived a
y suca Stage that moving awav will be safe
h.