Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-07-18
agricultural.
Curing Hay.


At the Farmers Convention held at
Pennington fast winter. Mr. +. V. Stew
art OF that town. was called upon 10
describe his method OF curing and hous.
ing hay. His statement did not appear
in your report OF the convention publish
ed al the time, but was promised ut
future day The approaching hay
harvest reminds me that il is time that
promise was fulfilled, therefore subioin
the substance of Mr.. Stewards remarks
The moving machine is set to work rs
soon IS the dew is Off usually about ,
o'clock in the morning. By eleven us
much hay is cut n can be cared for that
day. The grass is allowed to remain
Just rs the machine LETT it till one o'clock
in the afternoon, when two men are set
to raking with hand rakeS, the grass be-
inc very stout and heavy, and too green
for the horse rake 10 work to advantage.
The leaders follow Immediately after,
with fork and cart, taking it directly to
the barn. By live o'clock nj latest, all
the hay cut that day is cleared up and
Snugly stored in the barn. All the hay
carted in one day is placed upon the
same and if the NOW is not filed in
one day, the product OF the next days
work is stored upon it. In no case is hay
placed on a partially filled NOW, after the
process of steaming and heating, which
sooner or later takes place, has COM
menccd A NOW should be filled in two
days. No particular pains is taken to
fork ii or tread it solid After the NOW
is filed, and before any heat Is gene IA
ted, old straw or refuse hay is spread
over the top to the depth OF six or eight
inches ior Is many tons OF hay, for a
sweat blanket, to absorb the moisture
which would otherwise gather on the
surface of the hay.
Ii a larger amount OF hay i stored in
one NOW then greater depth of straw
must be used The sweat blanket will
he colored somewhat by the moisture ac-
cumulated, but not by any means spoiled;
and every pound OF hay, top. bottom and
sides, comes out mex, winter bright and
fragrant as when put in, and in use is
found TO be worth more than hay dried
in the common way. Mr.. Stewart began
the practice Of storing hay in this man.
ner the summer OF lS6S. and has follow.
cd it every year since, and has not had 4
pound injured
lie has proved in his practice, that in
order to have it saved when housed in so
green state, it i not necessary. rs
many suppose, that it be stored in 4 tight
barn or in tight bins. or that it be trod
down air tight At once. There i no Sc
cret about it, only to have the water en-
tirely dried OF in the field, and the NOW
filled and covered before any heat is ap.
parent. lie showed specimens taken
from the NOV each year. These were
critical V examined and found TO be per
lectly cured, were bright as the most eN-
acting could desire. and emitted tha,
pleasant aroma 50 inviting to the appetite
OF cattle, and which is found only in
cured hay. To the taste ii gave that
sweet, pungent flavor never found in
poor hay. Evidently The specimens
Were not what would a. the present time
be called early cut hay, but probably
were cut Just Is the grass went out OF
blossom.
Mr. Stewart is very enthusiastic on his
method OF curing hay. and is pleased to
have interested farmers visit his stables
and examine Tor themselves Not I'm
frequently is he found with wisp OF hay
in his pocket that he may hold before the
eyes OF the doubling hay-makers the
proofs that hay will save in the very best
condition with comparatively little sun.
driving. lie Is a man If Intelligence and
understanding, and his statements ale
reliable - IfWiSfOn .J1ur0ql