Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-07-19
Aftermath.

Nh. EDITOR The value OF aftermath. or n.
it is commonly denominated, second crop, as
feed Tor cattle, is question upon which there IL
no small discrepancy Of opinion among practical
men, SO far Us my own experience extends
am inclined to regard 1t As possessing no iucon.
siderable degree OF value, although am far from
considering 1t equal TO the first cutting. Tue
correctness Of this conclusion, might, | thick, be
easily and concluslyely proved, but it is not nv
object, al presens, to discuss the relative yalu,
Of the two, but simply to indicate few points
necessary To be- observed in cutting and prep.r.
ing it for domestic use All aftermath-no mat
ter ut what stage of maturity it may be cut
possesses degree OF suoculence which renders
the curing process one Of greater or less Difficult.
ty. This difficulty is also somewhat augmented
by the unfavorabe state Of the atmosphere
which renders frequent turniugs indispenslble
and the diminished warmth OF the sun, which
begins to be sensibly felt about the time on which
aftermath is fit to NOW. These difficulties com
bined, oppose serious obstacle, and are otter
the cause OF serious losses, especially to such a,
are unacquainted with the business, or who pre-
fer the old system 10 the new.
will here detail the process have usually
pursued, and give the result. When the pras
Is set, select bright day, and commence cut
ting The grass cut the first day, is permitrc,
70 remain in the swarth till the following day
when as sooa as the dew is fairly of, it is care
fully turned with the fork, but not spread. |
the weather is sufficiently warm the frst day. III
turning Is performed in the afternoon before IN
dew tails, and the swarths are formed into cock
IN the afternoon OF the second This is don
mostly with the fork the rake being used onl
TO gather up the scatterngs, and give 20 the cock
the compactness and symmetry to secure ,hel
stability and protect them from rain. quar-
OF salt Is allowed to each cock, the mineral 6en
sprinkled on by the hand rs the grass is throw
up by forkfulls, and 10 this condition the cro
is permitted to remain till cured. With clea
atmosphere and warm sun, three or four lny
will be sufficient to complete the process with
out opening, and tue hay will be as perfect
made, as hay ordinarily is in the best and mos
favorable Summer weather. On removing il 1
the barn, usually apply one peck OF salt to til
ton--sometimes In Its natural state, AMI some
times in solution. This prevents Its heating, an
gives to II bright green color and a most a,
ilghtful odor, besides correcting any unpleasau
flavor which the grass may have acquired in cor
sequence OF its coseness OF growth, ard cons,
quent seclusion from the sun.
Young aoimals are particularly fond Of th
feed; they devour it with svldity at all time,
and 1t is highly favorable to both d sh and lpul
Gle.
] have given the process as pracliccd by m,
and II you think it worth place in your yalu,
Die publication, you are at liberty TO insert /
lt only remains tor me to say that have neye
to my knowledge, lost one pound of hay, whe
managing In this way, even in the most uni
vorable seasons. ln long storms the cocks n,
pro ected by hay caps, aud as they are purpo.el
made small eighty to ninety pounds
grass only being allowed to each the proteolio
afforded by the caps is mos. Efficient. = Grma,
ioDn Telegraph.