Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-06-29
NOTES FOR THE HAYFlELD.

When to Cut Grass-Hay Caps-Securing
the Clover Crop.
In managing the hay harvest an esti-
mate ought to be made before hand as to
the time required to securs the crop, be-
ginning soon enough to have the last
cutting done while the grass is yet
green-not very much later than the
blossoming period. The latest cut
ting of timothy should be used for
the horses, the earlier cut for milk
COWS and young stock. There Is. point
in favor of cutting timothy quite early,
especially where the land is in good heart
and capable of affording two crops in a
season. BY cutting the first crop when
the heads are well out and before bloom
the two cuttings will afford considera-
bly, more hay than If left until later and
cut only once, and the quality will be
enhanced in proportion as the albumi-
noids and other available nutritive prop
critics are secured in greatest abundance.
When grass approaches maturity, these
are less available.
Farmers vary in their opinions con-
cerning the utility Of hay caps. In or
dinary good haying seasons farmers are
found who say that the bother Of put
ting on and taking off and taking care
of the caps overbalances the benefits
from their use. 1t Is true that the ma
jority of our hay seasons are hot and
dry, and the haying can be carried along
without loss, but in wet weather there
can be but little doubt that hay caps are
an immense advantage in protecting
half made hay from exposure to rain.
In securing the clover crop In the best
condition correspondent Of Massachu-
setts Ploughman, the authority for the
foregoing, considers hap caps neces-
sity. Heavy dews, which are of nightly
occurrence at the commencement of hay
ing, deteriorate the quality Of the newly
made clover hay more than is usually
thought. With lot Of hay caps protec-
ton Is afforded. and ono can be master
Of the situation. Clover cut in its green
state when heading and we'll wilted and
thrown into small cocks and covered
with caps may be made in perfect safe
ty as regards the ordinary weather.
The clover crop, as q rule, Is not
cut soon enough to make good hay.
1t is handled too much. Following
are directions for making clover hay
given by The Farmers Review: Begin
cutting as soon as the clover heads are
in or just past full bloom. Do not be-
gin too early in the morning, but wait till
the dew q dried off before starting the
mower. Then let the clover lie as the
| mower left it till the dew is off next day.
Then set the tedder to work SO as to
scatter the swaths well up and leave
them lying loosely. so the sun and wind
can dry the cut clover. While one man
is working the tedder let the mower 20
on cutting. Start the horse rake in time
to have one or two windrows, or as much
as will make one load Of hay, ready for
carrying before going to dinner. After
dinner draw in as soon as possible all
that was cut the day before.
When slowing away clover in the barn
or stack, use about one quart Of coarse
salt to one ton Of hay sprinkled over it
as the hay is packed away. If rain
| should come on the clover while in the
swath or lying out, let 1t alone till 1t 10
dry enough to tedder easily. Then ted
der it twice. rake and drain 1t as soon
as possible. Clover that gets wet II
treated this way will be but slightly
damaged. The less clover that has been
rained upon is handled the better. II
the state Of the weather demands it, the
clover can lie two or three days just as
the mower left it in the swath and yet
make fair hay. The more clover is cured
when caught in a shower the more it
will damage. Cut clover should not be
tedded until there is a prospect of get
ting it in the same day. Well wilted
clover, though green, will make better
hay than that which has been well cured
and then rained on.