Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-14

oeeI = ny time IN spruaty or March. when HE
ground Is In order then blow Ali dow, the saro
way the lands went and he sa5, S.th az T',s
throwing back the firro& the same de1ths brinos
to the surface the deeomposed veoetahls y,atter
where 1t win come in immediate eonfaet with the
grass seed ana ac9 as top dressing I always
piow back the TWO last finishing frrovgs in zach
land, then the oats on the ro1af s,S
both ways until the ground is lie vel + thor , no
for sowing the grass and clover seed Law ~ ,-
or lands, IN width according to the number NJ hand
intend TO employ IN sowing. | will here remark
that found it necessary to learn all banlu
in order to expedite the work when the o,,,
prepared, and so to get the seed down and ,h
field finished before it rains. All hands sow absst
covering a land at q time. When the fie,d i
sown 1 take a light onehorse harrow and blot
out the burrows, marking of the lands IN SOW
by. then pass regularly over the field with a
wagon and pick up every loose chunk, root, brick
etc..and next pass arOer over the field to crush the
clods, cover the seed, and sink all small chunks
bricks, etc. that may have been missed in picking
up. Next stake all the sturnps that I could not
easily get out before blowing. This work l deem
necessary in any meadow, but most especially
where moving machine is to be used, as il is an
important that the ground should be level as posi-
bic, everything picked up and the stumps staked.
Low stumps are frequently covered with grass and
dangerous to 8 machine. When staked, the driver
easily sees and avoids them. In sowing down a
field where there is variety Of SOIL give it full
seeding of both clover and grass seed-this isures
full crop all over the field. In wet spots where
clover will not grow, herdsgrass generally does
best. If the field is of wet and clayey character
sow altogether herdsgrass
1t cutting field Of mixed grass that is grass and
clover in the portions Of the field where the clover
predominates, cut where the clover is ripe and
pay no respect to the grass, and likewise where the
grass predominates, as it is web known that they
do not ripen together.
Ny time Of cutting clover is when most of the
blooms have turned brown. l cut grass when all
the seed heads are fully ont ard before it turns If
my object is to save the seed let it stand longer
or until half the heads are turned if let stand
longer than this the object is often defeated by its
losing the seed the ground in handling especial
~ If It happens to get shower of rain when
spread.
Ny experience in making hay is this When
stacked or housed either grass or clover in green
state, it invariably rotted-when wilted or half
cured and stacked, it fermented and was damaged
when half cured and shocked in the field and
stacked out of the shock next day, also ferments
but not so much damaged-in handling with the
forks and stacking it is cured little better. and in
stead OF moulding it turns brown-cattle will eat il
but still it is damaged. The prevailing idea that b.y
should be saved in as green state as possible and
preserving 1t from dew and rain during the process
OF curing IS believe, correct but it is often bur
ried too much in the process and the object IN view
Is defeated-for justin proportion TO the dampness
OF the hay, when packed Will it heat and damage
A GLADE Of grass is composed of several parts one
part OF which Is water, and to make good hay the
water must all come out Nv objections to the
plan of aircuring hay in the field are it REQUIRES
TOO long time in the field, consequently runs the
greater risk OF being caught in rain The process
OF alr-curIng Is to shock up green and re-shoea
from day to day until cured, without exposure 10
the sun.
My plan now of curing il to commence cuttins, az
ter the dew is off, and cut until one or two olock
then commence raking up where ccmmencei cp,-
ung until al IS up and shocked 1t then rs dry
enough but II IS not cured, the water it not all
out. Shocking it up preserves it from tie dew
During the night the moisture seems TO ret,rn but
1t has not had time to heat Nextday when the dew
is of spread all out and sun second time Oar
ing this process 1t requires attention, sometimes
turning all over with forks especially If II IL tb;cL
on the ground, and see that it is ali carcd allie
generally very short exposure to the sun the seq
ond day Is sufficient Ny hay is now will say, ali
spread out the second day and my experience IS |
that the sun never Injuries hay as long as there is
any Water IN IT, But the very moment think it is
dry enough, all hands commence work. some |
throwing the hay back in Jumps to prevent the ann
drying It too kmueh, and others hauling IN and 4
stacking. Hay should be cured as quickly AZ pos (
sible, but at the same time effeetually, and when
cured in this way it viii retain its flavor its color
its sweetness; and all its nutritious qualities uni
paired. This Is my conclusion as TO hay making.
evidence to the contrary, Notwithstanding
My plan OF curing clover hay is somewhat diff
erent from that Of any other variety give it less
i loses its leaves. but notwithstanding this | fire.
luenty cure it mostly IN the sum- choosing rather /
20 lose some of ITS leaves than to leave it longer
he field, which it would be necessary to do if cured
n the shock. A shock OF clover hay is incapable of
urnng heavy rain, and if once wet after heinz |
Tried, it is rendered nearly worthless Had | the |
Use OF hay-caps, would cure clover hay altogether I
n the shock, and when haycaps get to be in geaer-
i use think clover will be more extensively Gull
ivated for having. / consider it more nutritious
ff1nr-v apTaf yrrba
As to when and how l make cropgrass hay: A
lover field will generally rise IN cropgrass if not
assured after the the clover cut and will often
make as heavy crop as any of the preceding ones,
nd also after wheat and oats, especially where a |
lowing machine is to be used. When the grain is !
eady TO cut consider whether will need the field
Dr. pasture or not; if not let the machine down |
S low as the smoothness CT the ground will admit
f, leaving worry little stubble, and then when cut
ng the grass | set the machine the same distance !
rom the ground before, and thus avoid gathering
ny stubble with the hay. have frequently cut as
eavy crop Of cropgrass hay from stubble field |
any meadow have.
Ny method Of preparing wild grass meadow for
moving machine is thus: In the first place the
round to be selected must be river or creek bot
pm land, and also must have been cleared of its
mber considerable length of time, and he ma
,riy of the stumps rotted ont. l then take I'D all
ne sprouts and loose stumps, dig down hillocks,
nd fill UP all small holes. The plan is to make the
round as smooth as psSsble-it is not necessary to
lake the ground level. for moving machine will |
Tork very well ground that is unduating but it
lust be smooth surface and then to keep this
eadow in order it is necessary to pass over it ev-
~ spring before the grass rises, and that VerT |
lrefully, and remove all distractions
Ny experience Is, that to make good hay more de-
ends on the tlHae of cutting, and manner of curing
ian in the variety of grass and that inferior kay is
ftea made from the best variety of grass and Uice
srSd and also that the process of fermentation in
az destroys the saccharine matter and lust in pro
ortion as it is green damp when packed with it
,rment and damage.
My knowledge as TO the quality Of the different
arietes of hay, and also as to its quality when ,
lred by different processes is obtained by expert
renting IN feeding, and in this way, that is by hav-
g always some dry cattle hand to winter |
1nine them in lot to themselves, and feed them \
hay all winter, and that hay of a certain variety,
I'D marking the result, which is always in favor of
ny cured quickly but at the time effeetualIy
reserving it from dew and rain during the process
ID packing so as not to ferment all.-Southern 7
oneStead.