The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-05-12
Get Ready for Haying.
Rural World.


II is now only the first of May and many
will say ''there is no hurry about thinking OF
haying; plenty of time for that after we have
got through planting corn" But the time
before haying begins will slip by faster than
one thinks, and unless preparations are made
soon this most important crop will suffer by
delays occurring when every moment is
precious, and the loss OF an hour often costs
many dollars in lost and injured hay.
The Importance of having an ample sup
ply of good hay for winter feeding is not
fully appreciated by our farmers. 1t is more
truly the staff of life to our domestic animals
than is bread to man, and all kinds of stock
will thrive on it alone if properly grown and
secured. Even hogs relish the sweet early
cut hay in the winter.
But hay to be relished and nourishing,
must harvested at the proper time and N
the right way. Just as bread can be made
soggy ldigestible and i'm Itritious by i'm
proper making and baking, so CT hay be
made of little or no value by improper man
agement.
Much OF the good quality of hay is de
pendent on the time when it is GU. Even
the most carelecs farmer will admit that grass
can stand so long as to be o. little value, and
they also know that it can be cut too early
to get the most and best hay. 1t is evident.
then, that there is time when the hay is at
its best When this is has not been fully de-
termined in the minds of all who have con-
sidered the matter, but all will agree that
there is time when the grass has reached it's
best, and from then on it loses its value each
day. The weigl of su ,hority asserts that,
as a rule. grass is at its best when the seed is
in the milk, some claiming it is little be-
fore, some little after this time. But what
ever is the exact time, there is but little to
81 are, and the haymaker must needs be ready
With all of his tools in order and everything
in readiness so there will be as little delay
as possible when haying has once COM
menCed.
1t is none too early for the farmer.to begin
to look after his hay machinery, and see that
it is in good repair Ii new machinery is to be
bought lie should take ample time to con-
slider the merits and dement's Of such rs he
is to buy.
Hsying machinery has been perfected to a
wonderful degree. Not many years ago this
work was the most la0orous on the far. Now
all the work, from cutting the grass to NOW
ing the hay away in the barn is done by
hose power.
The amount of machinery necessary in
hay ing, of course. depends on the amount OF
hay ing TO be Gone, and it will sometimes
pay TO hire portion of the machinery rather
than buy it all. Near neighbors can, il they
only will, buy many hsying and other farm
tools in partnership, and thus save money.
A horse rake, for instance, is not usually
needed more than few hours at time and,
by mutual arrangements, can be made to
serve the two farms.
81 Beside the mower and rake that are con-
Siderable indispensable, there are baying
tools which it will pay many to have. \
hay tender is valuable aid in making hay,
especially when the grass is heavy. The best
of hay is that cut, cured and housed the
same day, but when the grass is rank and
green it is difficult to dry sufficiently with
out turning, and to do this by hand is slow
| work.
Hay-loaders, s'ackers, horse-forks, etc, are
all of great service when rightly manages.
Success in handling any machinery depends
upon the user understanding it thoroughly,
hence another reason for procuring what
tools that are to be bought early enough
IS to give time to become familiar with
them. If machines are to be sent to the
shop for repairs have it done at the first OPP
Portunity. A machine can be hauled to
town cheaper when the team is going there
for some other purpose than when a special
| trip is made with it. If new parts are TO De
ordered from the lnufacturers it can be
done without the = -er f delay costing
many times the cost vi the repairs.