The Red Cloud chief., 1880-07-29

should Be cut before the seed ~
tursd. A . rule. grasses Tor
NJ their bsss when Ia blossom Al IL
p~riod Of growth they are more pala-s-
bic to stock. being less woody than
when cut later. and the roots are also
left in 4 better condition for . second
or another annual crop. Clover 10
USUALLY cut while ia full blossom.
though ON ~eal,irssors wsit unti z
f.w II the seeds tsgin ." dry up asd
.hs reproductive func,ions are Being
brought into play for the maturing o!
the seed There are exceptions rrgec
u this universal rifle OF cutting grasses
for hay while in bloom, In the case 81
some Of the natural grasses Crested
doy-,ail. for instance. has been found
on ANALYSIS to be an exception: 80 has
orchard grass. which n The time the
Seed Is rips and ., the time OF sosenng
is in regard u its nutritlv. qualities NJ
seven TO i've. IL has also been proven
tina, the stems OF timothy contain more
nutritive matter when the plant IL near
ly ripe than nj the time Of howcfing.
but IL has also been discovered that the
lose II aftermath which would have
furuied had the plant been Gu, in bios.
arm more than balances the gair OF
nutriment in the ripening seeds While
there are different times for the diier-
ent varieties Of grasses. the time OF
Towering is the general indication for
the harvest 20 begin. At this season
the sscchsrine juices that 90 TO form
and develop the seed are in the stock
and leaves, and il the grass - mown
then IL must Of necessity be palatAble
and succulent- Another argument sd
vanced for cutting grass before the ms
turity of the seed Is that when the seed
Il allowed 20 form the vitality Of the
grass becomes impaired. u heavier draft
"a made upon the soil and h meadow
In consequence d runs out
The testimony given fpcm time TO
time by farmers with respect 10 the
height from the ground At which II -
best To nj grass Is conflicting and tends
to confuse and mislead noyices in the
hay-ield. Cultiyaiors range in prac-
tics from one-half inch or az close n
possible TO four inches. The general
tendency, however, is To cut too close.
and MANY fine meadows have been Sc
riously injured therefrom.
Timothy cannot be cut low. especial
" in dry weather. without harm at
tending therefore il is advised that all
attempts at close shaving the sward be
avoided. Not q few of our most sue
cessful farmers u timothy nearly or
quite four inches from the ground 9th.
ers. in gauging mowing-machiries LOT
this grass, axe care to run them so high
| that it will not be cut below the second
joint above the tuber.
Close moving Of upland meadows
cannot but be injurious. rs the action
OF the hot sun and dry weather follow
ing harvest affects the roots of the grass
most unfavorably when left without
some protection. On the other hand.
wet moving grounds will bear cutting
close as possible and be benefited by
the same influences which would dry
and burn up an upland meadow.
Where the practice is followed Of top
dressing the meadow immediate
" after taking OFT the grass
close moving is also permissible.
Generally speaking. however, grasse.
which are "a two inches high will
start much quicker and thrive much
better h when shaved close 10 the
ground. Fine grasses, as a rule. when
the season is not q very dry one. may
be cut lower with safety than coarsel
kinds.
In cloudy weather grass dries but
slowly. and is liable to be stacked oil
housed without sufficient curing. hence
the wisdom of cutting meadows in
fair weather. The %precaution SHOULD
also be observed OF cutting only S,
much grass at one time a. can be prop
erly handled. Grasses dry much NOR
rapidly if cut after the morning dew j
off than they will if wet when thu
moving is done. Rapid drying is al
absolute necessity when the best quail
ty Of hay is desired. As there is moth
ing that assists in quick curing NOR
than a good tedder, farmers who hav'
much grass TO harvest will do well Il
provide themselves with SO valuable al
implement.-N. Y. World.