Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-02-05
The Proper Time for Cutting Tim

othy.
BY JAREp P. KIRTLASD, n. D.. OF cLEvE-
LAND. OHIO.
The proper time for cutting Timothy
meadows. 0h"rds-grass of New England, !,
with reference TO securing the best qualities
of hay, has been q faithful subject of obser.
vation and remark. Lite or n" attention
has been paid TO the influence OF the time
and msuner Of cutting, over fte iiralth, per-
msnency, and produc;iveness OF su.h mead
oxs. A vague idea prevail. aIn"ng far-
mers, that, if the moving be performed be-
fore the seed of this species o. grass is ripe,
il will run out, from failure " rr-seed the
ground. Every observing farmer has noticed
that. in some instances. extensive tracts OF
Timothy sward have suddenly died, soon af-
ter the removal of the crop o. hay, while, in
others, the sward continued h.alihy. and
for q series oil years produced abundantly o.
this grass. The rationale Of such opposite
results. under apparently similar c;rcum-
stances, hao never been explained, so far as
my information extends. -.....'
RtCtufu IuSStoils iulcl-
iigeDt and practical farmer, has recently pre-
sented me with the annexed propositions
and Conclusio as the result of his expe.
rience On this bject. These he illds:rat-
ed by specimens of the grass. in every con-
dition to which he alludes. Itis hoped they
viii be thoroughly scanned. by persons com.
petent to test their accuracy. they teal
this test, to Mr.. McCrsry the credit of the
discovery Of the act solely belongs ! and
have no doubt the community will consider
him as having conferred an importan. bene.
fit.
i. Timothy grass (Phleun Jraiense) is q
perennial plant. which renews itself by ar
annual formation of "bulbs." or, perhaps
more correctly speaking, tubers, in VIII ici
all the vitality of the pant is concentrated
during the winter. These form, in what
ever.Iocality the plant is selected, without
reference TO dryness or moisture. From
these, proceed the stalks which support the
leaves and head, and from the same source
spread out the numerous 6bres, forming the
true roots.
Q. To insure perfect development o
these tubers, q certain amount of nutrition
must be sssmilsied in the leaves, and re.
turned to the base Of the plant, through the
stalk.
3. As soon as this process OF. nutrition is
completed, it becomes manifest by the uo-
pearance of state OF desicaiion, or dry
nesss always commencing at point direct
ly above either the irst or second joint oil
the stem near The crown of the tubcr. From
this point, the desica,ion gradually progress
es upwards, and the last portion Of the stalk
that yields its freshness is that adjoining
the head. Coincident with the beginning
OF this process in the full development oil
TIE seeds, and with its progress they mature
Its earliest appearance is evidence that both
the tubers and seeds have required their re.
quisite supplies of nutrition, and that neither
the stalk nor the leaves are longer necessa.
~ TO aid them in completing their maturity.
A similar process occurs in the onion, just
above the crown of the bulb, indicating the
maturity of that organ.
4. If the stalk be cut from the tubers, be.
fore this evidence of maturity has appeared
the necessary supplies of nut ition will be
arrested, their proper growth will cease
and an effort will be made to repair the in
jury, by sending out small lateral tubers,
from which weak and unhealthy stalks " i'll
proceed, at the expense of the original tu.
bers. Ali will ultimately perish, either by
the draughts Of autumn or the cold of win
ter. -..---.
5. The tubers, together with one or Two
ei the lower joints of the stalk, remain fresh
aud green. during the winter, if left to take
their natural course; but if, by any means,
this green portion be severed, at any season
OF the year. the result win be the death OF
the plant.
From the foregoing conclusion il is con-
Guided. ..s.
/. That Timothy grass cannot, under any
circumstances, be adapted for pasture; as
the close nipping of horses and sheep is ia
tai 70 the tubers, which are also extensively
destroyed by swine.
2. The proper period for moving Timothy
is at any time after the process of desics-
tior has commenced on the stalk, as noted
in Proposition 8. 1t is Tot very essential
whether il is performed a week earlier or
later, provided it be postponed till that evi-
deDce of maturity has become manifest.
3. Ali attempts at close shaving the
sward should be avoided. while using the
scythe, and, in euaging mow.machinee, care
should be taken to run them go high that
they will not cut the Timothy below tbe
second joint above the tuber.-Patent Office
Report.