Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-08-06
Early.Made Hay.

While a majority of our best farmers
know from experience that early-cut
grass or clover makes better hay than
when allowed to stand until ripe or APP
preaching ripeness still there are com
paratively few who begin sufficiently
early to secure their crop of hay in the
| best possible condition
The scarcity of good hay in our mar
kets shows palmer than words to what u
fearful extent procrastination in hay
making is practiced throughout the en-
tire country. Bleached, overripe, straw
like stuff is the rule, while green, juicy
and fragrant article is the exception and
all this comes from delay of haying 1t
is true that we have few men left
among us who as an excuse for their al
most worthless hay will assert that they
don't believe in cutting grass early"
but this same class of men would declare
that they did not believe the world re-
volved if by it they could escape some
duty. 1t is too late in the day to con
slider any of the arguments that were
formerly brought forward in discussing
the subject of cutting grass early or late,
for science in agriculture has long ago
settled the question in favor Of early cut
ting. The woody fiber developed in the
stems of our cultivated grasses during the
ripening of the seed is of very little more
value as food for cattle than the woody
fiber of Eastwood tree; consequently
they should be gathered, if designed as
food for stock, before this ligneous
change took place.
The low, marsh grasses are usually
somewhat later in coming to maturity
than those upon upland: but as rule
the cutting is deferred far too long, as
their rich, deep green colors mislead the
farmer, and he may think they are still
tender long after the succulent stages
are past. Passably good hay may be
made from the common wild grasses
growing in low, wet meadows if they
are cut very early, but most of the species
become very woody and indigestible if
allowed to mature.
The proper time, or perhaps we should
say the latest time, at which any kind of
grass or clover should be cut in order to
make the best of hay is when in full
bloom, and we would prefer to com
mence a little earlier than to be little
too late.
There are other important considera-
tons to be taken into account besides that
of making good and nutritious food for
stock, in thus advocating the early cut
ting of'the clovers and perennial grasses,
the most noted of which is the effect
upon the roots remaining in the earth.
Florists will tell us that they can take
any of the most tender annual plants
and make them live several years, simply
by not allowing the seed to mature.
This same system of culture changes
the biennials to perennials, and all
through the prevention of the exhaust
i've process of seed producing and ripen-
ing of the same, But the reverse of
this may in some instances be produced
by injudicious management, as, for in
stance, our common red clover is Hatu-
rally perennial plant; but on light,
rather poor soils, if permitted 10 ripen
its seed, it will die the second year, or, in
other words, becomes a biennial, When
ever farmer finds that his red clover
dies out after haying, he may rest assured
that his land is too poor 10 sustain this
plant or he deferred the cutting too long.
If clover is cut when the first flowers APP
pear, the roots will seldom fail to put
forth new and Vigorous growth and