Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-05-27
agricultural.
Proceedings of Farmers Clubs.

topic was discussed, viz:
Hay: LIST. Should it be cultivated rs a
special crop? 2d. Proper time for cutting?
Sd, Best method of curing?
The Secretary in opening the discussion
made the following statements. The hay
crop of the United Ststes-exclusire ct
the South-in 1865. was nearly twenty
four millions of tons, valued at S214 900
600. its money value being second only
to that of corn. For the same year the
hay crop in Maine was ore and halt
million tons, valued at Sl7 900, 600. being
more than two-thirds of the total valua-
ton of the principal farm crops raised IN
the State. From the nature OF our sur
roundings, hay is and always must DC
the staple crop Of Maine. However
strongly we may advocate mixed hns-
bandry. we must admit that hay Is OF
prime Importance, inasmuch rs upon II
depends the success of all other crops -
All our farm operations should be per
formed with a direct reference To the
production of hay. All other crops should
be incidental, and the practice of apply
inc MI our manure To them is not 10 be
recommended 1t is important that We
select and combine such varieties rs VII!
mature AT the same time. Farmer. IN
general SOW too few varieties and too ut
tie seed per acre The earlier the seed
i sowu in the spring the better AMI more
certain the catch OF grass. Ii Is not sale
10 SOW later than May. The Only sure
way for farmer 10 get good reliable
seed al a reasonable cost, Is 10 raise 1t
himself. Early cut and well cured clover
j. undoubtedly superior TO AL other kinds.
The Vermont clover i preferable to the
Northcrn or large variety, a It natures
earlier and makes finer and better hay.
This locality however is not adapted to
the extensive cultivation of clover. The
yellow weed and whiie-wced should be
cut first aud then the other varieties in
The order Of their maturity. i IN favor
of cutting early cut one year after The
seed had formed and The result was the
lats and mice injured it very badly in the
NOV. Mich COWS fed on early cat hay,
give more and richer milk. and the butter
comes without trouble. Cures in the old
way, hut thinks there i rs much danger
or driving too much rs too iiI;lc. Hay
hurts quicker from external moisture than
from is own Juices Does net helievc in
sailing hay, i positive injury Mr.,
e.. ". Smith ,aid. hay i always a special
crop, but il i not admissible To- raise II
exclusively. Di>appro,cS hcpracticc ct
moving until iteNhan>,> the land. Would
not NOW land longer than il produced a
good crop Ii i, more profitable To raise
two tons upon one acre. than the sane
amount ON two acres. Recommends early
cutting. We get less weight but ii is not
possible TO cue early cut hay sufficiently
in one day Ia save Clover should be
made in the cock - much - possible.
thereby saving The leaves, which are the
most valuable pant.
Mr. Il. Boston said, hay i our main
dependence, Late cut hay is almost
worthless Began hay ing last year be
fore there were a2y blossoms, and never
had better hay; would rather have one
halt ton Of carly cut hay than Il ton cut
after the seed j. made Cuts clover when
two-thir,l> in blossom; puts zap and lets
stand in cork over one day. using caps.
Meadow hay requires more driving than
any Other kind Most farmers cut THEN
meadows too late Does not believe in
hauling in green grass Referred TO the
statement of Mr.. J K. Macombcr in
Bangor JctfcrSonian. detailing his expert
ence. and recommending the new method
of curing hay. lIo (Mr Bostun,) hat
od by the Glenburn Farmers Club I,
examine MIR MaComber's hay, reported
il to be black and smokey, unfit fen
market. and neatly worthless To feed /,
stock. Mr. ). Y. Luce would culiiyal,
hay as a special crop. Recommends tn,
use of plaster. and top dressing Will
manure. Had learned 10y experience thai
hay cut in the blossom i enough better
than that cut after the seed has formed L
pay for cutting Can dry his hay in tw,
days of good weather sufficient To keep
would not dry too much; if necessary T.
get in green would mix old hay on straw
with it, Nh f. Clements said, gras.
should not be cut while the dew is on il
He r;,keS auh put. up his hay while it j:
hot, opens and gets il in the next day
Put his hay in last years in 4 greene
state than usual II came out smokey
Thinks il is not practicable TO get in In,
same day il is cut. Mr.. ID. Gilman be
HeyCd in mixed huSbandry, but con
sidered hay the most important crop I,
cultivate rs a speciality. Since the markc
for potatoes is oycr-stocked and tn
prospect so poor. the hay crop the mos
promising one we can raise. Hay ha
been worth in Bangor market slS per ton
at some time in the year for several year
past. and i, worth nearly that for stock
lie a0reetl with others ~ IN carly cuttip a.
but thought the proper time depende,
very much upon the season. One yea
IL. c.,a, - ,rrnuc nnnrl,. NM hnlf nr.r l..