Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-06-18
A Hay Field.Day.

Hay Field-Day.
THE ACME HAY HARVESTING MACHINERY
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WITNESS TIL
TRIAL-AN ELEGANT REPoRT-THE TIsHERs
WILLIE FARMERS CLUB.
That valuable weekly journal. the Prairi
Farmer. published at Chicago, some week
since furnished its readers with illustration
and descriptive reading of the new progress
on the labor-saving and expeditions line Ii
raking and stacking hay. Messrs. James 4
Kemper and A. n. McCue. OF the Fishersvili
neighborhood, though young, are Two OF on
most nterprising and successful farmers, be
coming the agents for the sale OF this ma
| chinerv in virginia had field-trial of 1t OF
the farm of Mr.. Kemper in grass-field shor
distance west of the village on the 18th instant
THE COMPANY PRESENT. Il.
There were present at least one hundred per
sons from Rockbridge. Rockingham. Augusta
and Staunton. The Reporter noticed in thu
company Mr.. John D. sterrett. of Rockbridge
and Mr.. Morgan stickley. Of Rockingham: ant
among the Augusta people. Messrs. A. B
Lightner, T. A. Jordan. Ben and John Smith
MIR. Crist and his son, W. Brown Patterson
W. F. Brand, P. T. Burkholder and son, 8. II
Parkins. A. 8. Lara, Lewis Hartman, John W
Todd. H. A. g. Hamilton, Jno. W. Churchman
Drs. D. A. Hanger and J. NJ. Watson, Emmet
Fishbu rne, 8. M. Donald. J. II. Mcclure, Rev
Mr.. La ird, and many others. who, with the
ladies present, made the scene on the field
look very lively and interesting. Among the
ladies', were Mrs. E. 8. McCue. Mrs, J, r
Kemper. Mrs. DR.. D. A. Hanger and daughters
Misses Pattie, Mary and Bessie-Miss Mai
Douglass and Mrs. Robert Goodwin.
RAKING AND STACKING.
The field selected contained alone eighl
acres of timothy grass, which had been moved
the day before. A shower of rain fell during
the night and the hay was wet. nevertheless
the trial was to proceed. A tedder was early
run over the field. That is one of the best i'm.
PIGMENTS which can be employed in hurrying
tates the drying process.
The stacker was placed at the position 1t
was proposed to build the rick. The frame OF
the stacker is tripod. The receiver has
fingers like the rake and is fiat on thu ground
or bars are also on the receiver at right. angles
the hay on the ground, is raised in sweep Of
half circle and deposits the hay in the center
of the rick. It is geared with ropes and drawn
up In Its circular motion by horse attached
to the drum rope. There are two rakes to a
stacker which can keep the receiver or sweep
constantly in motion. The rake is about IL
feet wide. A horse ON the side at each end,
the driver in the middle. The frame over and
holding the rope is on pivot wheels and d.
rection ia changed rapidly. The fingers are
like those on the receiver. and as the horses
draw ND the rake to the receiver. the fingers of
the two interlace, and the driver, by lever,
drops the hay on the receiver In an instant
and then, drawing back. up goes the sweep
with about $50 pounds of hay at each motion
The hay falls on the center Of the rick. and
Two men with forks bui Id the stack. The grass
from twenty-five to thirty acres can thus be
transferred per day from the swath into q
complete rick. Five men and a boy, and five
horses, with the machin cry, accomplish the
work.
STYLE OF WORK.
Those who witnessed the ork from first to
last saw its execution under different phases
The grass was not sufficient ly matured in the
first place. Rain prevented Its rapid curing
after being laid in the swath. Under these
the machinery worked well, but
not sweeping the field entirely clean. More-
over. the horses, as we'll as drivers, had to be-
come accustomed to the work; but the judy
ment expressed was, hat the ma chinery filled
Its promises. Whatever dc ubt existed, If any
was dispelled during the afternoon when q
gentle current dried out the hay, and the rake
swept over the field leaving scarcely blade of
grass in its course.
THE RICK AND THE MANTLE.
Accompan ying the machinery are chains
which can be made of any length desired by
cfohI fnlrc I,fn Ton,
long. To each of these links is attached a
hook. These chains are throwniacross the top
Of the rick, and. prepared for the purpose. are
boards Of proper width, which fit in the hook 8.
and thus roof Is built, the boards tapping as
shingles. and the stack or ri ok entirely saved
rom damage by rain, while b completes the
work of hay-making with only the manual
abor of two men with forks who build the
.ick.
TIE Ere SEQ LUNCH.
On one side Of the field was lovely shade
made by massive old oaks It was da rk and
cool beneath their boughs. and the grass was
velvety and green tinged with straw color.
Improved seats were there. and on long.
table were cold ham and mutton
and lamb and pies In variety. choice cold beat
biscuit and many other good things with
named doing the no n ors OF conducting the re-
freshing feast, which they did in royal style.
AS the day was one of business, some leisure,
and much social enjoyment 1t would not be
complete IL the
FIsHERSvILLE FARMERS CLUB,
did not have hand in it. So on that pretty
green sward beneath the oaks. DR.. Hanger, the
President. called the Club to order. and after
reading the minutes of the former meeting by
Mr.. Kemper. the Secretary; DIR. Han ger called
Mr. Frank Bell to preside. as he was on a COM
mittee and thus much business was dispatched
In quick, business manner.
Mrs. Simeon Koiner. widow lady who COM
ducts her farm sent in a communication desir.
ing to contribute to the organization and re-
ceive the benefits it confers. especially In the
associated purchases ofsupplies. This request
was readily granted, and Mr. James r Kemper
appointed to represent Mrs Koiner in all such
matters.
CONCLUSION.
A light rainfall occurred about II O'Clock,
but not sufficient to delay or hinder the ar
rangements of the day. In all Its features, it
was one of the most pleasant that ever occur
red. The object-progressive farming-excited
widely extended interest as new lines in Its
conduct were developed:
The Fishersville Club is doing noble work for
the agricultural Interests. 1t elevates the style
and intercourse between all who come under
its influence, and makes farmers love their
occupation because of its high aims. the
Club grows stronger. and it Is p ornament, and
the benefit 1t diffuses in the community will
be measured by the success attained in great
property.
Personal.
Cards are out for the marriage In LIE wisburg
W. Va, on Wednesday. June 25th, of Mr.. Ma
| son Mathews, eldest son OF Capt. Alexander F
Mathews, and Miss Jane 9. Montgomery
| daughter OF the late VIM. Montgomery of tina
place.