Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-07-05
agricultural
IIayng

The busy season Ul having Is near at hand,
and the enterprising farmer viii see thar
everything Is IN readiness u commence at
the most favorable tine. Grass has come
forward rapidly, AMI from present appear
ances, will need 70 BE- cut early especially
is this the case on sandy and gravcly sol
We have heard Of clover being in blossom
the last Of May, which is remarkably carly.
WIEN TO ctr GRASS FOR NAY.
This subject has been agitated to a consid-
cradle extent Of late years, and the conclu-
sion generally arrived at, Is that grass should
be cut early. As hay is not produced for
the seed like grain crop, but TOR the
stalks, leaves and blossoms. it is but natural
To suppose that these should be secured in the
freshest and most perfect state for this pur
pose. IL Is we'll known that 10 clover stands
too long, the blossoms disappear and the
stalks iccome dry and unpalatable if tinO-
thy, toe leaves rust. the seed shells out and
the stalks change 20 a woody texture, and
the ma uTal or meadow grasses also, depre
ciate in value
Clover should be cut when in fall blossom.
as near as may be. Of course a part will be
past this stage, while another VIII not have
arrived at the desired point, this VIII not at
feet the general rule.
Timothy should he secured as near as pos
sible while in blossom. This. If cut at the
right time and properly cured, makes very
valuable hay hence the necessity Of paying
particular attention to these matters. The
wild or water grasses ii cut carly, make a
very good quality of hay for took when not
in milk. hut if left until late, their value is
much reduced The time Of commencing
haying has changed from the middle of July
to the first. within perhaps tine past TEN
wears, ard the period of harvesting a. also
been considerably shortened. This IS owing
to the improved ideas in relation u cutting
grass, ana the employment of machinery tor
this purpose.
CUTTING AND CURING GRASS.
Where machinery Is used there Is little
occasion to cut grass ~ the morning while
the dew Is heavy. or in cloudy and rainy
weather. Advantage can be taken Of tie
good weather to secure the crop IN the best
manner Where grass Is cut early it will
require more care and time 10 cure it prog
erly, than if lett until late,-but it should
not be dried too mnch. TIE juices should be
preserved as much az possible, and rot d,i Z
out, as herein Is much Of the value Of early
cut hay.
Glover IS much more difficult to cure thar
timothy. Ii should not be lett 10 the &C -ior
OF the sun for any length of time, for if 81
done, there will be considerable less Of IL.
leaves, an important part. This should p,
cured mostly in the cock, and care taken t
preserve tie Fl. sh, green appearance which
is desirable, rendering it most nutritious
food for cattle and sheep. The natura
grasses are easily cured. Timothy is not :.
difficult to cure clover, yet when cut carly
as II should he, 1t requires extra labor. g.
pecially if the grass Is heavy
On large meadows containing heavy
growth, the 8 Hay Tcdder " will facilitate
TIE process Of curing 20 great extent, say
ing time and labor, and assisting 70
preserve the better qualities Of the hay
Grass that is partly or wholly dried, should
be protected as much as possible from dews
as well as rams, as these injurc t very much
STORING.
Some attention should be paid To- storing
hay. As farmers generally are. Or should
be, provided with sufficient barn room. car,
should be tai en- TO put the different qualities
of hay seIerate, and this arrangement sh0ulC
be made with a view TO the disposition oil
the same in winter. The nice early cut clio
yer and timothy should be Icser, ed for tn,
cows in spring when giving milk, and pOr-
tiOn for the calves ana sheep duvIng the win
ter. The horse barn should have an amp,
supply Of good timothy. The inferior quail
tits, Of what ever kind. should be sep
arate and easily to be got at, when the colo
weather Of mid htcr viii create a demand
for such species OF fodder.
HAVING TOOLS AID MAcuIxEBy
The farmer should be careful to have tool.
and machinery in working order, and new
purchases made in season tor operations
Get and use the hest only. There IS ne pol
ley in using cheap, poor OF worn out nipple
mebts. any time but especially in haying
With good moving machine, horse rake
and on large farms tcdder, and perhaps
horse fork, the manual labor is greatly re
due, d, and the grass crop can be serureC
quickly. easily and in seasOn.-S. 4i5aH
Mess, uOeT