Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-06-06
AGRICULTURAL
EARLY CUT Ia Y.


who do not ii emselves gro" it, have
it in their power to bring an lntln-
ence to bear ON careless producers,
which will secure a better article for
their use. 1t has been shown in the
Country Gentleman that for dairy
purposes, early cut and we'll cured
hay is worth six or seven dolla. $ per
ton more than the common, over-rlpe
rubbish which so many shiftless far
mers grow from tae mere force of hab-
it. Liverymen who buy large guam
titles of farmers near the cities, and
milkmen also, should seek to engage
their hay in advance OF farmers who
will agree to make it at just the right
stage of growth, and for doing this
they can easily afford to pay certain
ly three or four dollars per ton over
the common market price, and even
then make money by it.
1t is a common belief among farm
ers that grass cut when nearly ripe
gives more weight per acre. 1t may
not be true, but if they think so, they
will be pretty sure to let it stand to
the last minute unless the argument
of self interest in the other direction
gets them out of the miserable habit.
In general the idea prevails that a
few days delay as to hay making Is
not at all important, and 80 when
grain is ripenins about the same time
that gets the preference as to timely
care. Farmers should be taught
those who seek to sell hay at least -
that every crop should be gathered at
Just the right time, and that a failure
to do SO will bring on financial pen
a,tv. Late cut and over ripe hay is
little better than straw, and observing
purchasers know it. Millions Of dol
lars are every year lost to the coun-
try from this one cause-because in
general, farmers are so slow in adopt
this reform. Our modern improved
machinery for rapidly making hay ia
vols the reform, but as yet it does not
seem to have been very effective.
If | were a large buyer of hay,
certainly would endeavor to secure a
better article thu n is now the rule
Nice, sweet bright and fragrant hay
is an exceptionable article when ii
could be the rule, and might be il
the great mass Of farmers was net sc
inveterabiy welded to old habits
One argument with them is that gras:
cut in blossom is more difficult tc
cure than at later period. Proper.
ly considered this is no argument al
all. AS well might hired man urge
that it is more agreeable to begin d
days work in the winter at 9 clock
than 7. Hay should be made at that
period of time when it is worth the
most for stock feeding-not when a
farmer has nothing else to do and
can't sleep But if such hay costs
him more than that which turns to
woody rubbish before it is cut, LET
him charge more, of course, and nc
buyer wlose judgment is worth a. cent
will object.
As experiment stations increase in
numbers and III their resources for in,
vestigations, | hope they will take "
this subject. The ordinary farmer
seems to need line upon line and pre-.
ceot upon precept' before he will
leave old ruts. The results at expert
ment stations will command respect
largely wanting elsewhere, and then
with the aid Of the agricultural press
to get the facts before the people,
there will be some hope for an ulti-
mate general changes. P, in COM