Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-06-12
When Shall We Gut Our Hay2

The question of which is best, early
or late cut hay is n much mootcd
one, and there is . wide disagree
ment upon it in actual practice. We
imagine, however, that this often due
more to the convenience or incon-
yenience of the farmer than to his
convictions on the subject. The pre-
ponderance of opinion, on the part
of those whose opinions are most en-
titled TO credit, seems to be in favor
of early cutting. We give extracts
below from two good authorities,
the American Agricultural, and Farm
Journal
The object Of the haymakcr should
he to seize on that particular period in
the growth Of the plant when il con
taius the largest amount Of nutritive
matter, and this is when the plant is in
fall bloom. Every hour that clover -
allowed to stand after it has reached
this point is at the expense Of its nutri.
ton, and If not cut until ripe, the stems
nave become 80 hard and woody AZ TO
Ue but little better than 50 many sticks.
1t has long been supposed that early
cut hay Is more valuable than that cut
later. If the judgment OF the cows
were test, there would be no question
about it. They will leave the ripper hay.
and even refuse To eat it ut all. IL they
can procure that which has been cut
earlier. In the writer's dairy, the
milk falls off more than 10 per cent.
when the young hay Is changed for
that cut two weeks later. This IL sutti.
cient TO support the general opinion in
spite OF chemical analyses, which 90 to
show that the ripe hay il heavier, more
bulky, and contains more nutritious
substance, than that cut earlier. Per.
haps the operations of the chemist can
extract more nutriment from ripe hay
than can the cows stomach but as
young hay feeds more proitably, it
seems best TO cut early.
last season the Solebury farmers club
discussed this question Oliver Baltler.
ston was in favor of early cutting. One
advantage in cutting young was the
weeds would not ripen their seeds, and
would shrink up 90 as not to be notice.
| able. lie thought there was not "a
much waste as generally supposed by
drying out in young grass. The bulk
| might be lessened, but little would be
lost in weight, and there would be a
gain in quality. w. T. Magill thought
early cut hay was better. and there was
much less draft on the soil il cut before
/ sE Isn.s
where hay was cut late the stock invari.
bly, came out in poor condition unless
much grain was fed. w. w. Paxson
instanced farm where the hay was al.
ways cut early, where little grain was
fed and the stock always came out in
good condition in the spring.
at il not denied" says Mr.. Engle,
from whom we before quoted, "that all
grasses will make larger bulk Of hay,
| If ripe when cut, than If cut when more
tender, but the difference in weight lif
any Is very little compared with tho
difference in bulk, while the latter is as
much superior as hay as 1t had been for
pasture or soiling. This applies EN-.
| phatically to milch cows. Not only
will they give more milk from hay made
from tender grass, bus the butter will
be high colored. In order to secure
hay of the best quality, such as will
make most milk and butter aud keep
animals in good condition, cut grasses
when they contain the largest amount
Of saccharine matter; cure, If possible,
without too much hot sun get Ii dry
as evenly as possible, and gather ii as
damp as il will allow without mos. burn.
ing. and you will have all that can rea-
sonably be desired for good hay"
Another reason for cutting early is
tbat II gives the second crop chance