The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-27
SOME SPRING FARM TOPICS.
WHAT AFTER GROWING THE cRopsl
Sex I'm strswberries-Among the Poultry
Something Worth Knowing About
Rhubarb-Hints to the Fnrmer-A
budget OF Valuable Recipes.

1t is very important after growing the
crops to harvest them in good season.
With all of the hay and small grain crops,
at least, very few days delay will make
a considerable difference in the quality of
the product. 1t is, therefore, necessary,
if the best profits are realized, to arrange
ahead so that when the crops are ready
the work can be pushed along as rapidly
as possible. Clover is usually the first
crop TO harvest, and OF the plants used for
hay clover requires more time to cure
than almost any other. The first is
usually cut while the weather is showery
and before it is as hot and dry as when
timothy, redtop and rnillet are cut hence
it must be left out one or two days at least
before it will do to NOW away. Clover
should be cut when large proportion of
the heads have turned brown. If allowed
to get too ripe. not only is there a loss of
nutriment, but considerably greater loss
in handling the leaves and foliage break
ing off in handling. So far as possible,
clover should be cut and stored away
without getting wet, and supply of hay
caps can often be used to good advantage
with this crop.
Wheat is generally the next crop to har-
vest after clover. The best stage for cut
ting is just after the seed begins to harden.
II allowed to get too ripe the grain will
bleach and will shatter out more than if
cut earlier. Wheat can be bound and
shocked as fast as cut and needs but little
curing until ready for the stack. Care
should be taken in shocking and stacking
to keep as dry as possible and get into the
stack in good condition.
Sometimes the timothy meadows will
be ready to cut before the oats, while at
other seasons the oats should be cut first.
II to be fed in the straw, oats will make
better feed if they are cut before they
are fully ripe. The straw contains more
nutriment and this is the most economical
way OF feeding, especially il cutter cal
be used.
Oats should be put up in small shocks
so as to cure out well, and will generally
need to stand several days before they can
be hauled in. If they are to be fed in the
straw oats should be moved away in the
barn. They are more difficult to
stack than wheat, and, if they are
to be fed out putting in the stables or
barn will often save one handling. With
the western farmer, at least, the princi-
pal profit in growing oats is to use them
for feed, and hence it is best to cut and
cure and stow it away in a manner that
will secure the best quality of feed at the
lowest cost. When cut at the right stage
there is a large per cent. OF nItrl;nent in
the straw, but if allowed to get too ripe
before harvesting good portion of this
is lost
Timothy and red-top make good hay if
cut in good season. In fact, timothy is
considered the very best of hay, especially
for horses, of any grown on the farm.
They should be cut just after the plants
are in full bloom and before the seeds
form. In nearly all cases, if the weather
is clear and bright, thimothy or red-top
cen be cut in the morning and gathered
up and stored away in the evening, and if
cut at the right stage will make the best
of hay. The use of machinery has lessened
the cost OF handling the hay crop very
materially, and with it and careful plan
ming the work can be done in good season.