The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-07-24
Making Glover Hay uheaplz.

:
seasons and circumstances vary SO. We
have general plan by which we make
good hay at little expense, but Of course
cannot always follow it closely. This
weeks work will give you an idea of it.
Last week closed up with plenty Of
rain. Sunday was damp day. Mon
day the weather seemed on the fence !,
whether it would settle back and rain
again or gradually clear up, was ques
ton hard to decide. 1t did gradually
grow more settled. Tuesday morning
it seemed quite certain that some good,
bright weather was coming. Our drain
ed land being dry enough to get on to,
/ started two cultivators and one Breed
weeder promptly in our potato field.
An extra man hired by the day for this
busy season was set to using the potato
hook around the plants on our | ( acres
of potatoes that / wrote you about
lately, that were planted by hand with
such finely cut seed. With this force
at work we very soon had the surface
well stirred. In the afternoon, Tues
day. l judged that it would be safe to
NOW, and cut some clover. In the
morning after the dew was off, some
more was cut. Between 3 and p. m.
this was all raked up. That cut the
first afternoon did not cure enough to
take any harm from being exposed to
the dew the first night. The second
night all was raked up 10 large, snug
windrows, mostly with the butts up
Before night, Wednesday. moved
some more. Thursday at $50 a. m.
we began turning the windows with
forks, and at | ] a. NJ, began drawing
in, and continued till p. m. Late in
the afternoon some more was moved,
and that moved the day before was
raked. To day, Friday, we turned that
raked up last night, and the men are
rushing it into the barn this afternoon.
About 4 o'clock 1 will go out and rake
up what I cut yesterday afternoon,
ready 10 get up to morrow. There will
be none to NOW tonight, Of course, as
tomorrow is Saturday and we want
to clean up.
By using judgment, We can in this
way make nice clover hay with the
least possible expense for handling.
We have cultivated most of the potatoes
the second time this week, moved the
lawn and taken care of things generally.
My regular man cultivated all the
morning, to-day. instead of spending
the time opening cocks Of clover, as we
used to do, and occasionally have to in
threatening weather. The mere turn
ing with fork is all the work done by
hand until ready to draw in. In this
way we can get our hay up, and take
good care of potatoes too but we have
to work to do it. my son and myself Git
is vacation now and two men. 1t was
necessity that first compelled me to
eontrive to handle clover with little
hand labor, to cure it in the winrow
rather than in the cock. 1t is ready to
cut just when potatoes need the greatest
attention. To leave them entirely for
a few days, at this time, is not to be
thought of by specialist. Our mixed
farmers do it. One hears them speak
Of getting the potatoes laid by in time
for haying.
] remarked to farmer who has too
many irons in the fire, yesterday, that
this was nice time to cut his clover
Yes; I know it, be said. at ought
to be cut. but have got four or five
days. cultivating to do first" Result,
loss in the quality of the clover before
he gets through. and loss to the corn
and potatoes from lack Of cultivation
when he gets at the clover. Wheat
harvest will follow right after. and
probably keep them from cultivating
for some days longer-more loss. Such
kind of work brings about half that the
land is easily capable of under perfect
management, and farmers get discour-
aged at their "luck" Oh, when will
they all learn to undertake no more
than they can do thoroughly well?
Our clover is hardly in full bloom.
This is just when it makes the best
hay. although it requires moro care in
curing. We will not get quite SO many
tons either as ten days later; but we
always have too much, and want to
cut early, SO as to make the largest
possible second crop to fertilize the
ground for potatoes next year. I can
enjoy the winter if there is clover
enough on the surface tn have maAe