Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1883-09-27
ABOUT AGRICULTURE.
FACTS FOR THE FARMERS.
Meeting About Saving Hay and Other
Matters.
(Ne,o Orleans Times Democrat

(Ne,o Orleans Times Dcn,ocrat)
In the North and West, where farm
ers have to depend upon the domestic
supply Of forage, the season of hay
making is busy one. In olden times
when the fields were moved by hand,
it was trying time, and every one
took a hand. All the "help'' that
could be obtained was called in, for
hay must be made, "while the sun
shines" 1t was an active season for ev-
cry one on the farm, as forage for six
months feed of all the animals must
be cured during the haying season.
The horse reapers and mowers have
changed all this, and now labor-sav-
ing machinery cuts, rakes, cures and
houses the entire crop in a few DAYS
without extra work for the farm Ia
borers. In the South, where the sea-
son in which stock must be feed is so
short, haying has been generally ne
elected. The domestic grasses have
not been sown, and planters in the
past have depended for winter forage
principally upon the cured blades of
corn, which are light, and require an
immense amount of hand work for the
small quantity of fodder saved.
1t has been found impossible to cure
fodder corn in this climate, but many
planters have cured pca-vines as a
substitute.
There are number of other substi-
tutes for the cultivated domestic grass
es, which our Southern planters may
| use, and they should at once commence
to cure and put up winter supply of
"roughness" In localities where rice
is grown each planter should secure an
abundant supply of riee-straw, before
it has become wet by rains. All stock,
including mules and horses, thrive on
it.
We know planter who has fenced
in the levee and batture in front of his
place, aud with a moving machine
cuts the Bermuda grass and saves an
ample supply of hay for his work stock.
The farmers along the Gulf coast
have of late years cured a great deal
| of Mexican clover, and it makes sp1en-
did hay, which is relished by all stock.
On the praries all p the grasses will
| make hay. The paspalum is probably
I the richest or the Prur1e grasses, Its
analysis showing it better than timothy
Some of our readers will probably
be surprised to learn that even the
pine woods broomsedge will make hay
but we are informed by those who
have tried it that they have succeeded
in wintering their cattle on it. The
most universal and reliable hay grass
for the entire Southern country is the
crab grass. 1t takes possession of the
fields after the corn is laid by, and
grows luxuriantly on every spot where
crop has been gathered early as July
| A great many planters have fol
years gathered this hay, but most o.
them put off the cutting until the SEED
are ripe, and the grass commenced tt
turn yellow. The grass is most nutri
tious when in bloom, and if cut at thai
time will equal the best imported hay
| A moving machine on smooth
ground would, in a few days, Gu
enough crab grass for winters sup
ply of an average plantation, bu
where machine is wanting, a suppl,
may be cut with hoes or grass blades
There are forage plants growing al
over the South, and every farmer VIII
will take the trouble, can easily fill hi