Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-07-04

where thsasws arc not much depressed be-
low the surface. Many mows are partly I'M
der ground cellar like places. Such are not
fit for storing hay. believe hay can be kept
best above ground.
As curing hay is a process that should part
ly be accomplished in the barn, storing will
properly claim share of attention; and in
addition to what has already been mentioned,
l would give my views in regard to storing on
scaffolds over stock, and over barn cellars
containing manure and hogs, often. Perhaps
l can hit the idea in few words Suppose
we take our milk, butter, cheese, -four. bread,
sugar and vegetables, and store them in such
places. Think you they wouldn't he high
favored? Wouldn't it be a nice place for
such? Now hay is just as sensitive to stencil,
and the tastes and palates of stock just as
dainty as ours. This every observing farmer
will bear me witness. Think of it. What
matters it that we take pains to raise the best
varieties Of grass, cut at the proper time, dry
in a suitable way, and get in in the nick OF
time, if after getting in we place 1t where
like sponge it viii absorb and become satur-
ated with the steam and fumes arising from
the stock and manure beneath.
The driving of grass for hay should be
gradual, in order to produce first class a'tl-
Gle. We all have seen poor article II nay
made BY too free and full exposure to the rays
of a burning sun. and aided, perhaps, by a
brisk dry wind.
But. Mr.. President, the time of harvesting
and best modes of curing, are themes upon
which farmers differ widely. There Is great
diversity of opinion and practice in this oper
alton. Some cut early before the blossoms
appear, others at their appearance, others
when they are full. Some wait till the seed
has formed, and some till it has nearly ma
tured. Some dry to a crisp, some moderately
and some merely wilt before storing. packing
away as snugly as possible to exclude the air.
All cannot be right, and consequently some must
suffer loss. 1t is asserted by good authority,
and borne out by practice, that hall OF the
value of hay may be lost by improper curing
and cutting. OF this we all can have no doubt
and such being the fact, the subject demands
our earnest labors to solve correctly.
would suggest that this topic be again taken
up at some Winter meeting, and that i'll the
coming hay harvest we each one try some eX-
pertinent to then report upon. More practi-
cal knowledge may thus be obtained than in
any other way possible; the only true way
to obtain practical knowledge, and practical
knowledge is what we are after.
In conclusion, would say that l believe
when grass is best for green feed, it is also
best to make hay of; that our animals are
better Judges in this matter than are, and
OOserVHtlOE N ILLS UfattSE W lii iSdH Iuto thc
way of truth; that we should only partially
dry the juices In the grass in the field and
store without any moisture among the leaves
and stems in tight barns, excluding the mir
as much as possible, and not over stock and
manure. believe it is our interest to secure the
best quality and quantity of hay possible and
keep its good qualities intact. This can only
be done By strict attention to conditions and
cleanliness, and we are told that cleanliness is
next to Goodness.