The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-07-08
Hints for Harvest.


from our agricultural and horticultural friends any
information which will contribute to its value.
Hints for Harvest.
laying and harvesting, since the advent
oil moving and rrap;ng machines, horse
rakes and forks, are not half so much
dreaded by either rnan or woman, as when
the work was done by their muscles. Now
that we can seat ourselves on our machine,
and by taking sufficient exercise to cure
dyspepsia, or give us an appetite, can cut
grass, rake our hay by horse power, haying
and harvesting is little more than sport !;
and il our horses are well cared for, it can
be little more than sport for them. Wcp pre-
mise by suppo ing that most of our readers
are already possessed Of all these imple-
ments, in good order, and only throw cut
su:h hints as shall serve to remind them
Of the best time and yanner Of conducting
tho operation CT harvest.
I. AS general rule, the best time to
cut the grasses grown in this country, is
when they are in .tuU bloom. To cut them
much sooner than this, will be before they
have taken in all the nouvish,nent they are
capable Of; if allowed to stand until fully
ripe, much of the material which was solu-
Bile has been converted into woody matter,
which is innutritiouS, or into seed, which
though very rich in nu.rimcnt, is liable to
b. lost by handling. Wheat is now, by the
best farmers Of Great Britain, cut when the
kernel is in the dough state" This is
about Ten days before fully ripe. Cut then,
It has less skin, brighter berry, tougher
straw. and will not waste by Smelling. Oats
make an excellent feed, if cut when green
and properly cured For seed, or for sale,
they need to be quite ripe, and If possible
saved without wetting.
IL. Curing Hay should be saved in
as nearly its natural condition as possible.
1t should not be Drowned or burned by
The hot sun. About three. fourths of the
weight of grass is lost by drying. Ifit
could be cured in the shade, more of its
value would be preserved, but as this is
iinpraciicable, we must come as near it as
possible. Hay cures well in winrow,
after it has been thoroughly wiltcd. The
advantage of this over the hay cock, is,
that it lies looser, and allows free circu-
lation Of air. Unless the prospect for
pleasant weather is good, it is always best
to put it in cocks at night. Many farmers
think it an advantage to let hay sweat in
large punches, but this is mistaken no.
ton. During this process part Of its solu.
Die matter is converted into carbonic acid
and alcohol, the hay becomes slightly moldy
or musty, and though it may lie eaten
readily, is less nutritious or bca!,hfnl.-
Wheat bound in medium sized bundles and
well shocked, should stand about eight
days, and oats about five. Of course, this
Will depend in part on on the weather bul
it is better to get wheat up little damp,
than after this to run much risk Of rain -
The use Of hay and grain caps will often
be found saving in haying or harvesting.
We hope some of our readers who can af
ford it, will give them trial.
Ill. There is no cheap way CT raking
hay withot horse rake or unloading it
without horse fork. In loading hay, al.
ways do so by course; then the forkIuls
are kept by themselves, and come off as
easily as if bound.
Nv. Satting.-If hay is properly cured
no salt should be used. 1t may be sprink.
led on at the rate Of four quarts to the ton;
when it has been injured. Hay ought neptr
to be put up so as to require sailing
Y. Stacks IF you are compelled 10
build stack on moist ground. see that
MS soon as it is done, it has drain about il,
to take off the Hatcr. All stacks should
have good bottom, high and dry enough
to keep the hay from spelling A stack
ought to contain four or five tons, to pre-
vent waste. Il should enlarge from the
bottom uptwo. thirds of its heighth, TO shed
water well, and be built round instead of
square. Always keep the middle the
stack with coarse straw or hay, but this,
material does not shed water well. The
finer the hay that goes on the top of a
stack the better. Hay, we'll secured in
lacks, keeps about as well as in the barr.
The foundation fer stack may be made
by driving short spiles into the ground,
strong enough to hold it's weight. On
this trestle-work lay your bottom. tits
an excellent plan to have large cap for
securing it from rain before finished
Layers Of bright straw thrown on, tend to
preserve the hay, if a little green, and i'm
drove the straw. Grain can be stacked
just as well as hay, only requires little
more care. 1t is often better to do SO than
t, enlarge our barns.
vi. 1eams.-If possible. have an extra
house for rake and horse fork. ANY spiri
ted team can be made so gentle as TO draw
hay with, if car.fulty usea One great an
noyaEce 70 horses is flies. Many horses
have been made ugly by them Protect
them from these creatures, and you add
much to the pleasure of haying.- Ohio
Farmer