Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1863-05-22
Aftermath, or Second Hav Crop,

The intrinsic value of aftermath,
does not, by the generality of our
farmers, appear to be properly ap-
preciated. After many years ex-
perience; am inclined to regard
good aftermath one of the best and
most salutary articles of food for
young animals that the farm affords.
Many, l am aware, will disseut from
this view in consequence of the in
iudicious methods usually adopted
in curing it. To be good, aftermath
should be cut in clear, dry weather,
and permitted to remain in the
swath till the grass has wilted; it
should then be turned, and, when
wilted throughout, be carefully and
evenly spread. A few turnings will
be sufficient to "make it," or bring
to that state which will warrant its
being put in cock. When the grass
is very succulent, a small quantity
of salt sprinkled on as the cocks are
formed, will tend greatly to accel-
lerate the curative process, and add
also very considerably to the nutri-
tiousness of the hay Owing to the
large quantity of moisture contain
ed in aftermath, it is rarely well
cured, and being thrown into close
and compact cocks-often when the
weather is damp-the acid fermen-
tation which results from the pres
ence of excessive moisture, greatly
ldeteriorates the article, and renders
it unfit for use as food for stock.
In the autumn of 1854, [ had a
piece of soil on which there was
produced most abundant crop of
aftermath, the grasses being mostly
tred clover and herds-grass. l had
previously been induced ro consider
the article as nearly valueless, but
at the suggestion of a neighbor-a
man of much practical experience
l determined to make an expert
ment, and ascertain as near as cir
cumstances would enable me to do
so, the value of the same for feeding
purposes. The grass mas moved
early in the morning, and was allow
ed to remain, the weather being
very warm, till about five o'clock in
the afternoon, when it was turned
to prevent the portions that had re-
ceived the benafit of the air of the
solar rays, from the injurious effects
of the heavy night dew, which, if it
effects no other resul, renders the
fibre crisp, andle disposed to come
elastic and solid when finally cured.
The next day the swaths were spread
care being had to shake out thor
oughly all the dense and compact
portions, and to disseminate the
whole even and lightly over the
ground. Supposing the same course
would be judicious here as in the
details of ordinary hay-making, ]
kept the mass stirring during the
day, and at night, before the dew
commenced falling, the whole was
put in cock. The same process was
pursued next day, with the excep-
ton that on putting the hay In cock,
pint of fine salt was sprinkled over
the layers as they were deposited by
the fork. In this condition it re-
manned two days, when it was cart
ed to the barn, and moved, about
SlA u ucti 10 VI cel1O OCAAS cOQCOy DIS
there was some succulence which l
apprehended might prove injurious
to the hay, especially as designed
for calves and young cattle. COM
menced feeding it to the latter i'm
mediately on their being taken from
the pasture-the hay being chaffed
and mixed with rasped roots-prin-
cipally carrots and ruta baga turnips,
with small quantity of corn and
cob meal. The feed was prepared
the day previous to feeding it out,
until the weather became so cold as
not to admit of it, when warm water
was added. never yet have seen
more rapid development of flesh
and muscle than was induced by this
method of feeding, nor have L seen
animals kept in better health. The
calves-eight in number-did equal
ly as well, and its effects upon COWS,
though not so remarkably apparent,
was yet very favorable.
Whether, ON the whole, the cut
ting of aftermath, and its appropri.
alton as a means of sustenance for