The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-07-08
THE PROPER TIME TO CUT GRASS.

with severe acclueuI 4lOAh uedNy IAll
which had put him again upon his
crutches.
THE PROPER TIME TO CUT GRASS.
Mr.. s. Edward Todd then, by ap.
pointment. read brief but interesting
paper on IWhen it is best to cut grass
He said that many gross errors pre-.
vailed as to the best period for cutting
grass. Abundant notions had been put
forth for years past as to the best man
ner of curing hay by papers which
were considered authority in agricul-
tural matters. and II was 10 guard new
beginners against naturally falling into
the errors of these advisers that he en-
tered into this discussion. Instead OF
producing a sweet smelling hay, these
authorities had caused mustY, unpal-
atable food to be produced with just the
same amount of labor. He asked at
what stage would the animal eat pas
ture with the greatest avidity? When
IL was green and in blossom. Now hay
Is dried grass and the nearer it resem-
bles the fresh grass the better. II hay
is made of grass before the blossom APP
Dears it is excellent, but then there is q
great loss in the quantity; but II 1t is
made when the grass Is in full blossom
both the excellence in quality and
quantity are secured. II it is made be.
fore the blossom has fallen, the mate
rial changes to woody fibre and gives
no more nourishment to the animal
than so much orn.cObs. The quality
IL inferior. The botanist collects his
herbs when the plants are in full bloom.
The stems and cores yield large per-
centage of the aroma. If farmers want
to secure the largest amount of good
hay, let them cut:the grass when the
blossoms are fully developed.
Professor Trimble disputed this point.
He did not believe the farmers in his
neighborhood would agree with the
gentleman. II you cut timothy when
In full blossom it makes the hay dusty.
Professor Whitney said there was
chemical principle involved in this
question. AS the plants approach bios
som there is more sugar In their cOmpo-
sition, but as soon as the blossom has
fallen the seed becomes woody matter.
Scientifically, Mr.. Todd was correct in
saying that grass should be cut in the
blossoming period. In practice IT was
cut a little before or after. AS to the
dust, the benefit derived would counter
balance that objection.
Mr.. W. s. Carpenter agreed with Mr..
Todd. He said the seed deteriorates II
allowed to mature. The effect on the
soil, if cut in blossom, was excellent.
1t draws more nutriment. He would
rather cut before than after blossom.
but it was preferable to cut when In
blossom.
Professor Whitney-In relation to the
exhau;ion Of the soil, ripened seed in
wolves the loss of the absorption OF
phosphoric acid. We take from the soil
what we don't want in grass. If we
cut when in blossom we leave the
ground In good condition for another
crop.
CURE FOR collie IN HORSES.
Mr.. Charles Jenkins, of Salem, Cole
county, Ohio, gave as the simplest and
most effective cure for collie in horses:
Spirits OF turpentine poured on the
horses back across the loin forward OF
the hips. A half gill is sufficient. He
had never known this to fail of speedy
cure when applied before Inflammation
had taken place. His experience had
been that one halfthe horses supposed
to be Killed by collie were in reality the
victims of an overdose of bots.
CURING HAMS.
"a farmers wife" gave the follow
ing way of curing hams, which b ad not
failed her in twenty years: Take hot
water, half enough for what brine Is
wanted; dissolve all the salt In 1t by
stirring and adding that it will in two
or three hours dissolve. Have 1t as
strong as 1t can be made. Add Jour
ounces OF sultpetre for every hundred
pounds of meat. Dissolve that also.
Now take one part of the brine and one
OF water; pour on the hams till they
are covered; that is reduce half. You
can keep them in as long as you wish
or take out in five or six weeks. Pack
the hams upside down. 1t is good for
beef also. Use good salt.
GAP IN CHICKENS.
The same lady says: have tried this
season sulphur for gaps In chickens
feed once a day; one spoonful OF sui
phur and two of meal, with good sue
cess.
EARLY poTAToEs AND RAPsBERRIEs.
Samples of Early Rose Potatoes and
West Chester Black Cap Raspberries
were shown.