Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-05-06
agricultural,
Farmers Ciub--South Paris.

Farmers Ciub--South Paris.
Subject for discussion, Mar 18th, 1870,
The grass CROP
Col. SWEET said that The grass-crop was
the king oil crops; there was time when
the South considered Cotton, king; but
we have in Maine. and even all New
England, considered the grass-crop as the
main crop OF The farm it is really the
leading crop, rs farmers are more depend
ent ON their crop of hay. than any other
article raised; hence, any Information,
that can be had that viii have tcnden-
CIV to i'm rove this important crop, will
be of interest To every farmer. IL has
been stated that the estimated value oil
the hay crop in Maine. the last year, was
thirty millions OF dollars; now II TINS oe
the fact. ally method that can be INTRO
duced to improve this important crop
will be of interest, not TO the farmer only,
but TO the consumers of hay.
Tie WAS in favor OF top dressing, As be-
inc more profitable than any other; 1t
was a good plan to SOW grass seed on old
fields.
Some farmers are in the habit OF dry
inc hay too much it should not DC TOO
dry. If So, the leaves will tall oil sud
part of The quantity Is well rs the quality
Of the hav will be lost; some are in favor
of cutting aud hauling in on the same
dav; and by the use OF the tedder, he had
known hay 10 be sufficiently cured with
one days sun. to keep nice, through the
winter. Vernon, farmers cut hay early
cut and haul in the same day. and they
mAkc use of the tedl6r.
He thought that grass should be cut
carly there WAS a mistaken notion among
some farmers ON this point but ne arga'
ed that lruu The best authority, anu his
own experience, tina, many farmers were
At fault. and let their grass stand too .onS;
for instance: they will wait for herds
grass To blossom the Sl cond time. when
in truth {, had been found that hcrdSgraS>
did NO, blossom but once, and those who
waited for the second blossom to appear
almost invariably mad a poor qualify oil
hay: herd>gra>s should be cut soon alter
the heal appears in the stock. Early cut
bSv WAS much better for stock cows give
more. and better milk, horses were more
healthy they did better on early cut hay
and four quarts of provender. than late
cut hay and eight quarts OF the same.
Air. Hammond did not believe in cut
inc hay in This way; he could not dry his
hav too much; he should prefer, 1t he
could. To- have il remain ont few days IN
lunches. and thought that hay made IN
TIM, way much better than it would II
made in the same day AS 10 top dress
ins. he had not tested it euaugh TO decide,
bu, could not give it - his opinion that II
was the best way.
Mr.. Thycr. also. did not believe IN top
dressing, thought there must be great
waste. IS the rains are more q 20 wash
i, of the land into the woods and high
WAYS Ia, agreed as 10 cutting bay early
and having il well cured before hauling it
into the BAN.
Mr.. Hall believed in top dressing said
that The best writer's ON The subject, fay
orcd it. and that his own experience con
,rced him that this Was the best way he
also favored cutting hay early, and hav-
ing il we'll cured, before hauling into the
Lam; sail that hay pat III loo grccn.was
,,,, worth lalf uiirc.