The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-07-11

and II not too much prolonged, 1t gives
strength to the muscles of the shoulders,
the loins, and hips. The fact that one is
always lame after the first day of now
ing, shows that unused muscles have
been taxed. The great danger at this
season is of attempting too much. Labor
is generally from fifty to hundred per
cent higher than at other seasons, but it
is very much better to employ it at any
price, than to break down the system by
overwork. A strained muscle will often
lay man up for months. If the labor
is more severe than usual, more time must
be taken for rest. 1t is folly to work
fifteen or sixteen hours daily, as some
farmers do. We doubt if anything is
gained to the employer, in the whole sea-
son, by more than ten hours of steady
toll. Particular attention should be paid
to food and drink. We want good nour-
ishing food, plenty of fruits and vegeta-
bles and milk, to hreak up the monotony
of salt junk and potatoes. Some eschew
ice water in the hay field. If one is ac-
customed to it from the beginning of the
season, there is little danger in its use.
While we approve of good cheer, coffee,
tea, syrups, ginger beer, and the whole
some drinks that the good housewife
knows so well how to prepare, we discard
all intoxicating drinks.
Hay making is an art, and it requires
good deal of experience to know just
when to arrest the process, so that the
dried grass shall retain its virtues. 1t is
agreed on all hands that it should be cut
just as tits passing out of blossom. La
ter than this, the gum and saccharine
matter pass over into woody fiber, and
the hay is not so highly relished, and is
not so nutritious. In the beginning of
the season, when the grasses are full of
juice, there is danger of curing too little,
so that the hay heats in the NOW. In
the latter part there is danger of drying
too much. The best hay is made mainly
in the cock, and now that we have hay
caps SO generally distributed, this may
be safely done. Heavy grass when it has
had one days sun, may be kept in cock
two or three days, and improve. by the
process. Hay is best secured in the barn
in large mows. We trust the day is not
distant, when farmers will have barn
room enough for all their fodder, as well
as for their cattle. In the barn the hay
remains undisturbed. until it is fed out,
and retains all its sweetness. In the
stack, there is loss in the quality of the
hay, and still greater loss in feeding.
1t is of great importance that corn
potatoes and other hoed crops be put in
the best possible condition before haying
and haryes:ing-the main work for this
month When the grass and grain claim
attsntion, all other operations are put
aside, and if the weeds have not been
subdued, aud the soil left properly loosen
ed, corn must suffer. An additional hoe
ing early this month, may make FIVE OF
ten bushels per acre difference in thu
yield.
1t is poor economy to attempt the
severe labors of the season with INSULT
cient working force Overworking dur
ing the oppressive heat of Summer il
even more injurious than at other times
There may be scarcity Of help IN some
sections, owing to the large numbers en-
gagged in the war, but the absence of mer
should be supplied, as far as may be, BY
using labor saving implements.
10 produce good article OF butter
at this season, cool well ventilated dairy
room is indispensable. Exclude flies
from the premises with frames covered
with millinet, placed in the doors and
windows. Observe scrupulous neatness
in every operation. The tub Or barrel
for the reception of sour milk should be
kept at distance from the dairy, and
convenient to the pig pen. The effluvia
from a fermenting swill tub will injure
the flavor of butter.
Select the best growth of clover
timothy, etc, and leave it ripen for seed
Choose piece as clear from weeds al