Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-10
TINE NAV CROP.


The hay crop in this State will be late,
and from all we can gather, despite the
great amount of wet weather will not be
unusually large. Two causes operate
against this. In many sections the grass
killed out badly last spring. and on ac-
count Of the cold spring such fields start
ed very late and grew slowly. Then the
great amount of cloudy weather In May
and June caused grass to grow slowly.
for 1t is well known that sun Is needed
for the grass crop to mature quite as
much as wet of which last our fields have
had plenty.
But whether the crop be heavy or light
1t should have the greatest care at har-
vesting. for much of its value In the mar
ket depends upon the manner in which it
is harvested. the care It receives In curing
and being housed.
The constantly Increasing manufacture
of waterproof canvas shows that there Is
a growing demand for 1t. but we notice
that the increased call comes chiefly from
1t. 1t is important not only to cut good
hay crop, but to mature 1t well after cut
ting and guard 1t from dampness and
mold which surely comes II 1t encounters
err Keep your hay. dry in the cock and
in the stack, and have it well cured be-
fore taking it to the barn; thus 1t will be
sweet and fresh and all the more nutri-
tious to the animals who feed on it. Fur
thermore. hay thus cared for retains a
bright, fresh appearance and sweet
odor, which will enable it always to COM
mand the best price when put on the
market.
Whenever grass is to lie day or two
in the field 1t Is always liable to be kept
there a week or more by rain or weather
too damp or cloudy to dry 1t in. and a
single drenching rain or even wetiing. IN
jures it not a little. It can seldom be
dried enough to put INTO the NOV or
stack the same day, and 1t is not always
desirable to do So. Heavy dews also In
hay cured under caps has a good green
color, and goes to market in the best pos
srble condition. Half a dozen hay caps
will cover about ton of hay and add
from 1872 to 50 to its value. These caps
and reckoning the life of the caps at five
years, which is certainly not too much II
cared for. the cost would not be over 4t
cents ton per year and the nay wouio
bring from 81 to IS a ton more. Ready
prepared hay caps OF excellent quality
can be purchased at very low prices to
suit the times.
But this is not all that has to be done
to get hay to market in the best cOndi-
ton. When stacked in the open, stack
covers should be used to protect 1t. and
there are few farmers who cannot afford
one or more Of these. They come In han.
dy to spread over half-flnished hay OF
grain stacks. partly threshed grain stacks
loads of hay or grain left on the Wagon
over night. to spread under the separa'
tor, and to throw over reaper or threSh-
ing machine at night, and numerous 9th
er purposes on a farm.
Loads of hay or grain on the way to the
railroad or boat landing should have q
cover thrown over them. 1t is a we'll
known fact that all the large hay and
grain dealers in cities take the creates,
possible care of their goods. and always
use covers when goods are in transit. and
the blame for hay being spoiled can never
be laid to them. 1t is certainly to the in
tereSt of the farmer and shipper of hay tC
do his part and send only prime. wei
cured hay Of good color to market. where
1t win command high price. 1t will be
much more satisfactory for the commits.
sion agent to sell at high figure. The
cost of transportation and handling is
the same on poor quality as on the
best grades Of hay, and the difference iT
price Is all clear gain to the grower
Farmers. be wide-awake! Keep up with
the times, and protect your hay, an(
send no more damaged hay to market