Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1858-06-24
Che farmer.
Time to Gut Grass for Hav.

farming. Good, practical, experienced lar-
mers, differ much in their views as to what
stage Of growth the grasses are most profta-
bly, cut for hay. Many farmers, and, it is
believed, large majority of them, advocate
the cutting of red-tep, timothy, and some 9TH
or grasses, while in blossom, and practice ac-
cordingly Others think the hay more nu-
tritious, if not cut till some few days after
the shedding of the BLOSSOM and the seed in
the milky or doughty state; and some say the
seeds of the grasses should be fairly matur-
ed before being cut for hay.
Several years ago farmer came out in the
Boston Cultiyator with communication, as
sertipg that the seeds contained the principal
nutriment of the hay. Ten or dozen cor
respondents of that paper replied TO the views
of the " late-cut grass theory" none of them
sustaining the writer in his opinions.
From extensive observation and nume-
rous inquiries among farmers in different
sections of the country, we are quite sure
that vast majority of them prefer eating
their grasses before the seeds are ripened,
and, as far as possible act accordingly.
'"This practice is unquestionably founded on
correct principles, the object of the farmer
being to secure his hay so as so make it more
like grass in its perfect condition. The nu-
tritive substances of grass are those which
are for the most part soluble in water, such
as sugar, gluten, and other compounds. Now
it is evidentt if this is so, the grass should
be cut at the time when it contains the larg-
est amount of these principles, In its early
stages of growth it contains very large per-
centage of water. From its earliest growth,
the sugar and other soluble substanc gradu-
ally increase till they reach their maximum
percentage in the blossom, Or when the seed
is fully formed in the cell. From this period
the saccharine matter constantly diminlshes,
and the woody fibre, perfectly insoluble in
water, and innutricious, increases till after
the seeds have matured when the plant begins
to decay. OF course, if the plant is not cut
in the flower, great part of the nutriment
of its stems and leaves are wasted"
The above quotation is from the pen of one
who has paid much atte,tion to the subject
of grasses, and whose opinions have not been
hastily formed We also make short ex-
tract from the late Prof. Norton's writings.
He said sthe time of cutting has much to
do with the nutritive value of hay. While
the stems and leaves are growing and green,
they contain considerable quantities of sugar
and gum, which, as they ripen are for a
large part transformed into dry, indigestible.
woody fbres the remainder goes into the
seeds; but, as every farmer knows, greater
portion of these are lost from the hay before
ie is fed out Thus, after the grass has at
tanned its full size and height, itloses by delay
in cutting, and becomes, as to its stems and
sleaves, OF poorer quality as it grows ripper. "
In 1856 Mr.. Flint, Secretary of Board Of
Agriculture, Mass issued circulars contain
sing series of questions on rural affairs, to
farmers in every section of that state. Cues
ton 7th was, " At what stage of growth do
you prefer to cut grass to make into English
and into swale hay, and what is the reason
for your preference The replies from
about one hundred and fifty towns are, that
farmers prefer to cut the principal grasses
timothy and red-top, when in full blossom
red clover when about half the heads are ii
blossom, and swale grass before it is ripe, anG
generally before blossoming if possible, so as
to prevent it from becoming hard and wiry.
We give a few extracts from replies to tho
questions. One of the most intelligent far
mers of Middlesex county says -" prefer
to cut grass when in blossom, because it will
make more milk and more fat, and cattle pre-
fer it to that standing longer. 1t keeps then
more loose and healthy. L have no doub
hay Of he same bulk weighs more if i
stands in thefeld till the seed forms, and fo
this reason some who sell most of their hay
let it stand" A farmer in Worcester coun
ty says" When assigned for milk COWS
store or fattening animals, prefer to cut i
in the blossom, because it makes more milk
more growth, and more beef. For workin,
cattle and horses cut about six days ate
the pollen has fallen, because it does not scou
or loosen the animal so much as when cut il
blossom" A farmer of Hampshire count
says" Next to sweet fresh grass, we thinl
that rowen will make cows, working cattle o
horses, thrive better than any other feed, un
less in the case of cattle hard at work. w
conclude therefore, that all hay is best Gu
early. Coarse hay will keep stock toerabl
WE'LL if cut early, which, if allowed to ma
ture would not be eaten at ALL" A Handle
county farm er says - We cut after all tn
blossoms begin to fall, and before they hay
fallen. 1t has more substance and weight C,
at that time, than if cut sooner, more swee
moss and juice than if cut later
We could quote if necessary. scores {
similar statements and opinions, and yer
few of different stamp.
Without attempting to decide these dis
puted points, we will offer a few suggestion
the result of our experience in these matters
Generally we have found medium course
wide extremes the safest, and doubt not tina
grass is sometimes cut too early for prof
and at other times too late to be either pa
atablc or nutritious. But we believe farme
usually lose more by late cutting of the
grass than they do by too early mowin
Therefore, we think it the better way to cor
mence haying as early as the season al
state of the grass will admit, even if POI
ton of the grass is in early blossom, becau
asa general thing, but few farmers (whe
their moving is done with the scythe, al
the hay gathered with the hand-rake,) ha'
sufficient help to secure all their hay in pro
er season especially in wet seasons, much
it becomes too far over-ripened to make Il
best quality of hay.
Every farmer should be amply provided wit
good scythes, rakes, forks, hay-caps, and al
with a good grindstone, turning on GASTRIC
rollers. This last much lessons the labors
the boys
Hay can be stored in the barn in t,
damp or geen state, so as to heat and becon
injured in value. 1t can also, in good weat
,er, be over-dried, so as to DO much less pa