The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-07-29
Proper Time for Cutting Timothy

The proper time for cutting timothy
meadows, with reference TO securing
the best qualities of hay, has been 4
fruitful subject OF observation and re-
mark. Little or no attention has been
paid to the influence of the time and
manner of cutting, over the health, per-
manency and productiveness II such
meadows. Avague idea prevails among
farmers that if the moving be perform
ed before the seed of this species of
grass is ripe, it will run out, from Il
failure TO reseed the ground. Every
observing farmer has noticed that, III
some instances, extensive tracts OF tim
othy sward have suddenly died, soon
after the removal of the crop of hay,
while in others the sward continued
healthy, and for a series of years pro-
duced abundantly of this grass. The
rationale of such opposite results, under
apparently similar circumstances, had
never been explained, as far as my in
formation extends.
/. Timothy grass (Phleum pretensc)
is a perennial plant. which renews it
self by an annual formation of bulbs"
or, perhaps, more correctly speaking,
tubers, in which all the vitality of the
plant is concentrated during the winter.
These form, in whatever locality the
plant is selected, without reference TO
dryness or moisture. From these pro-
ceed the stalks which support the
leaves and head, and from the same
source spread ont the numerous fibres,
forming the true roots.
=. To insure perfect development of
these tubers certain amount OF nutri-
ton must be assimilated in the leaves,
and return to the base of the plant.
through the stalk.
,. AS soon as this process Of nutrition
is completed, it becomes manifest by
the appearance of state Of dessication,
or dryness, always commencing at a
point directly above either the first or
second joint Of the stem, near the crow n
of the tuber. From this point the des-
sication gradually progresses upward,
and the last portion of the stalk that
yields up its freshness is that adjoining
the head. CoincideHt with the begin
ping of this process, is the full develop
ment of the seeds, and with its progress
they mature. It's earliest appearance is
have received their requisite amount OF
nutrition, and that neither the stalks
nor the leaves are longer necessary 10
aid them in completing their maturity.
A similar process occurs in the onion,
Just above the crown of the bulb, indI-
eating the maturity of that organ.
4. II the stalk be cut from the tubers
before this evidence of maturity has APP
peared, the necessary supplies Of nutri-
tion will be arrested, their proper growth
will cease, and an effort will be made 10
repair the injury by sending ont small
lateral tubers, from which weak and
unhealthy stalks will proceed at the ex
pense of the original tubers. Ali will
ultimately perish. either by the droughts
of Autumn or the cold of Winter.
> The tubers. together with ore or
two Of the lower joints Of the stalk, re-
main fresh and green during the Winter
if left 10 take their natural course, but
if. by any means, this green portion be
severed at any season Of TIE year the
result will be the death Of the plant.
From the foregoing consideration it Is
concluded:
I. That timothy grass cannot, under
auy circumstances, be adapted for past
ure, as the close nippiDg Of hOrses and
sheep is fatal to the tnbers. which are
also extensively destroyed by swine.
2. The prsper period for moving tim
othy is at any time after the process Of
dessiestiOn has commenced on the stock,
as noted in proPOsition3. 1t is not very
essential whether it is performed week
earlier or later, provided it be pest
poned until that evidence Of maturity
has become manifest.
3. All attempts at close shaving the
sward shonld be avoided while using
the scythe, and in guaging moving ma
chimes, care shonld be taken to run
them so high that they will not cut the
timothy below the second joint above
Y cha SuhaT