Connecticut western news., 1881-06-22
FARM AND GARDEN.

CUTTING AND CURING GRASSES. - While there are different times for cut ting the different varieties of grasses for hay, the period of Towering is the gen. eral indication for the harvest to begin. At this season the saccharine juices that go towards forming and developing the seed are in the stalk and leaves, and if the grass is saved, then It must in the nature of things be palatable and succu- lent. Another argument in favor of cutting grass before the maturity of the seed, is that when the seed is per- mitted to develop, the vitality of the grass becomes impaired, heavier draft is made upon the soil and the meadow in consequence will sooner run out. To these inducements for early cutting may be added the important fact of a larger growth of the aftermath when moving is done while the grasses are in | blossom.
 The general tendency is to cut the grass too close, and many fine meadows receive serious injury therefrom, especi- | ally upland meadows. As 8 rule, grasses that are cut two inches high will start sooner and thrive better than when shaved closer to the ground. Many farmers cut timothy nearly or quite four inches from the ground.
 Analysis has proven that grass quickly dried in the sun, without being wet, produces the very best quality of hay, but little of it's nutritive qualities having been lost in the curing process, hence the necessity of cutting meadows during fair weather. Practical farmers differ as to the length of time grass should be exposed to the sun and ai1 ] previous to being housed. Some con- sider one good hay day sufficient, while others require two and some times three days. Some prefer to lei the grass lie on the ground just as it 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 results chiefly from the difference existing in the curing quality of the various grasses. Clover, for instance, contains more water than other grasses, consequently 1t requires longer time to cure prop erly. Timothy cures more quickly than herbs grass, while the coarser grasses in turn require still longer time than herbs grass. To sum up the matter, the se- cret of successful hay-making consists in curing grass just up to the point at which it will do to put into the barn and no more, in order to arrest the loss oi 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 may be cured in one day.
 Farmers generally agree that the cur | ing of clover is better accomplished iu the cock than in the sun, for the succu- lent leaves and tender blossoms of clover if exposed to scorching heat are quick, | ly Drowned and lose much of their sweetness. A plan largely practiced consists in moving the clover in the early part of the day and letting it lie long enough to become wilted. Turn il once in order to wilt the lower side o the swaths and then throw it up in small but high, narrow cocks. After standing in the cocks two or more days, accord ing to the weather, the curing will hav' been effected gradually and valuable quality of fodder secured. Previous t. storing in the barn the cocks should b turned over and exposed in an inverted position to the sun for few hours t dissipate any dampness that may exis on that portion which lay close to tn ground. Clover when stacked out il the field ought to be protected eithe with patent covers, thatching or thic
 top-cover of wheat straw.
 When meadow hay is to remain in tn cocks an indefinite length of time car
 should be exercised in the formation ( the cocks. These ought not to be to
 large, but built sharp at the top, wit
 sides nearly perpendicular, and finan provided with cloth caps. Hay cal and tedders, by the way, can hardly too highly prized by haymakers.