The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-11-20
Agrifnltnral.
Opea snd TtOht BaSas.

A correspondent OF the New Engla and
Farmer says Having read the discussion
In the Farmer on the subject OF open and
tight barns, I will give you my experience
with the remark that while consider
theory on this, as on other subjects, very
good,I think practice little better.
In 1910 1 built common barn for the
times, finishing with unseasoned boards,
put on slng,y. Consequently had plenty
Of side ventilators, as the cracks are nei-
ther small nor few. soon learned that
the hay must be well cured before being
put In, or it would heat, mould, and some
times spoil In the centre Of the m0ws,
while near the walls Of the barn the hay
vas bright and good. also learned that
In leaving the barn doors open during the
hay season, rs many farmers did, the hay
next the floor, especially near the door.
looked Ike hay which had taken the
storm and been badly washed. From old
farmers furthermore learned that hay
intended for the stack must be thoroughly
cured. even more so than for the barn.
In 1850 built barn, and acting upon
the knowledge gained SD far, made the
walls tight as common double boarding
would make them. And now for the re-
suit have not, during the sixteen year...
uoNO urNu WIS uSt ~ PettSsS VI
mouldy or burnt hay, except II was wet
by storms and put In before dry. cart
my hay much greener than formerly. l
do not hesitate to cart English hay tn ut Is
sufficiently ripe, as soon rs can aftcr it
IL cut, provided there Is no dew or wet ON
Il when moved. My hay Is relished by
the stock better than that which Il all
dried up. III the grass Is very green, or
stout clover, would prefer to let 1t stand
On the cock over night, but think that too
much drying Injuries the hay.
A mixture Of herdsgrass, just In the
blow, and western clover, the blows half
turned, which yielded two and u hall tons
per acre. actual weight. was cut In the
forenoon and carted In the afternoon OF
same day Into the last built barn, and
caine out nice and bright In the spring.
For an experiment, I spread some Of this
hay upon the beams OF the barn, turning
Il occasionally for two weeks, to ascertain
the shrinkage when thoroughly dried un-
der cover, and found Ii to be seven hun
dred pounds to the acre. or two hundred
and eighty pounds per ton.
With the knowledge thus gained, con-
clude that the less ths air circula'es
through the news, or the less exposed
the hay Is to the weather, the better for
the hay, and the less u u liable 10 heat
that BY closing all cracks or avenues for
the wind and storms what heat there may
be In the hay Is equally disseminated
through the entire mass without injury tn
the hay; hut that II the heat be forced
from the outside surface To the centre. the
outside hay will be bright while the cen
tire will be more or less iniurcd-some-
times burnt and mouldy. With this ex-
perience 1 shall continue to store hay In
barns made tight as practicable. notwith-
standing there may be much theory not
based upon practice, io the contrary.
have also learned that cattle thrive
best. In winter, when kept at a tcmpcra-
ture little above the freezing point; but
that II kept so close and warm rs to sweat
ar become moist. they will not eat. pre-
fer to have the stable little cold, rather
than too warm. II too cold, however,
food does not seem to make them thrive,
although they may eat enough to satisfy
the most skrpticai, especially u short OF
hay. A very little trouble will regulate
the temperature Of stable, and Il well
paid for In the satisfaction one enjoys In
the comfort and thrift of his animals.