The Red Cloud chief., 1881-08-18
Cutting and Curing Grasses.

While there are different times for
cutting the different varieties Of grass
es for hay. the period OF Towering Is
the general indication for the haryes;
10 begin. At this season the sacclarine
juices that 60 towards forming and de
yeloping the seed arc in the stalk and
leaves, and If the grass is saved then II
must in the nature OF things be pliaia-
bic and succulent. Another Argument
in favor of cutting grass before the ma
turity of the seed il that when the seed
is permitted TO develop the vitaiity o!
the grass becomes impaired. a heavier
draft is made upon the sol and the
meadow in consequence viii sooner u
out. To these inducements for early
cutting may be added the important
fact OF q larger growth of the aftermath
when moving is done while the grasses
are in blossom.
The general tendency is 20 cut the
grass to close and MANY tine meadows
receive serious injury thereIrOm, espe-
cially upland meadows. As n rule
grasses that are cut two inches high
will start sooner anu thrive better than
when shaved closer 10 the ground.
Many farmers cut timothy nearly or
quite four inches from the ground.
Analysis has proven that grass quick
Nv dried in the sun, without being wet,
produces the very best Cualit. OF hay.
but little Of its nutritiye qualities hlv-
ing been lost in the curing process;
hence the necessity of cutting meadows
during fair weather. Practical farmers
q fer rs TO the length of time grass
should be exposed to the sun AMI air
previous 10 being housed. Some con-
slider one good hay dIy sufficient while
others re u.re W and sometimes three
da,s. Some prefer TO let the grass lie
on the ground just rs 1t is left by the
mower. while others cure IL in the
windrow and still others cure it in the
cock.
These differences in the curing re-
suits chiefly from the difference exist
ing in the curing quality OF the various
grasses. Clover, for instance. contains
more water than other grasses. con
s~cquently il requires a longer time 10
cure properly. Timothy cures more
quickly than herds grass, while the
coar-cr grasses in turn require still
longer time than herds grass. To sum
10 the matter, the secret Of successful
hay-making consists III curing grasses
up to the point at which il will do To
put into the barn and no more, in order
10 arrest the loss of sugar and starch at
the earliest possible moment. During
the early part of the season two days
are often required for properly curing
heavy grass. Later, when the grass.
is nearly ripe, it NAV be cured ia one
dav.
Farmers generally agree that the cur
ing OF clover is better accomplished IN
the cock than in the sun, for the sue
culent leaves and tender blossoms of
clover if exposed TO a scorching heat
are quickly Drowned and lose much Of
their sweetness. a plan largely prac-
ticed consists in moving the clover in
the early part of the day and letting il
lie long enough To become vile Turn
il once in order to wilt the lower side
of the swaths and then throw il ~ in
small but high, narrow cocks. After
standing in the cocks two or more days,
according to the weather, the curing
will have been effected gradually and q
valuable quality of folder secured.
Previous To storing in the barn the
cocks should be turned over ami ey,
POSED in an inverted position to the sun
for a few hours 10 dissipate any damp
ness that may exist on that portion
which lay close to the ground. Glover
when stacked out in the field ought tC
be protected either with patent covers,
thatching or a thick top-cover OF wheat
straw.
When meadow hay is 10 remain in the
cocks IN indefinite length of time care
should be exercised in the formation O
the cocks. These ought not To be too
large. but built sharp at the top, will
sides nearly perpendicular, and finally
provided with cloth caps. Hay cap
and tedders. by the way. can hardly b'
too highly priced by lawmakers. ~
]. World.