The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1896-08-13
Haying.
u. M. Rice. in Epitomist.)

81. Nd. R1ce, In EpltOmlSt.)
Very few farmers but what know the
best method of securing hay crops. but
while the methods are to be practiced,
cheapness is an important consideration
In these close times.
Most Western farmers stack their hay
in field. and all things considered, pre-
fer 1t and feed it out on the field where
1t was grown. 1 do not claim that this
is the best way, but 1t is the only prac-
ticable way at present, and in the usu-
ally dry winters there are but few OBJ
jections, either as to the hay or stock.
OF course practice and advise strongly
better accommodations to cover the
short periods Of storms.
AS my farming has been largely in
more northeastern location in the great
timothy and blue grass belt. have
more special reference to that section,
and have more in mind the small
farmer of limited means than the bo-
nanza farmer The latter, perhaps, has
not so much patience with the day of
small things.
The small farmer may not even have
a moving machine of his own, but in
connection with a neighbor there are
four horses, machine, rake. two twen-
ty-foot ropes; two forks, and best Of
ALL several children, ready and willing
to snake" in the shocks. This is the
total force needed, and without dol
lars outlay, except for possible
breakage, the hundred acres on the
two farms can be gotten into NOW
and stack in ample time and fine
shape.
Commence before haying time. See
that the machine, rake, ropes, and
forks are exactly right, that you know,
and all concerned, including the good
wife, just when and where you are going
to start. Commence early in the
season. Better have hay little green
than too ripe. Commence early in the
morning. Have two and a-half acres
cut by 10 o'clock, then start the rake
and have it in the widrow by din
ner time. The wife will have a good
dinner. Don't take smoke or a sleep;
take real rest for half an hour, and
then all that can use a fork help to
put 1t in the shock. Now, two horses
with ropes, and If the boys or girls are
old enough to drive and hitch to the
shocks, well, but if not, let them ride
the horse and third boy to hitch for
them. Start your stack near the centre
of the plat that is cut, haul in the
near by shocks, crowd them near to-
gether in the right shape for the bot
tom and nothing more need be done
to them. The bottom thus started, one
or two courses of shocks can be pitched
on by the two men without anyone on
stacked in this simple. cheap, quick
way, it will be surprising how many Of
the nearby shocks are put into the
stack in the first half hour. Then the
stacker takes his place and as the
shocks are little further to haul one
man can do the pitching. Have the
shocks delivered on all sides, and thus
the stack is equally tramped and will
settle straight.
When the stacking Is commenced the
machine should start again and the
big boy will be proud to handle 1t.
The morning cutting can be easily got
ten in the stack the same day, and II
the day has been bright and dry there
will be bright green hay, and the next
day little more can be done.
This is making hay while the sun
shines, and is the sunny side, but there
will be wet days and heavy dews or in
places heavy winds, and the farmer
will need to change his tactics, but for
twenty-four years l managed the hay
ing in substantially this way and with
reasonable foresight in providing for
emergencies the changes or losses were
very slight and it comes within the
limitations of the smallest farmer.