Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-07-18
SOUTH PARIS MAINE TUESDAY, JULY 1899
rns HAY caop.

IL Is now Oey0n0 QoeotlOn t0at the
hay crop Of this state, and Of New Eng
land throughout, 10 10 be light In the ex-
treme. The situxtion has now gone be-
yond remedy. Following year Of great
bounty the shock will be severe one.
Farmers generally were stocked up with
full herds and fiocks, and declined TO
sell their choice young animals on the
high prices Of six months ago for the
reason Of au intention to keep the num-
bers Of their hcrds full. Now with
sudden shortage Of hay precipitated
more or less Of this stock must be dis
poeed Of.
The shortage Of this important crop is
accounted for chiefly by the drought.
While belt Of territory along the coast
line through York and Cumberland coun-
ties Was damaged by winter killing, yet
throughout the greater part OF the state
grass wintersd perfectly and started out
In spring with the promise Of full crop.
But with scarcely any rain from the
time the snow melted In April till
the principal grasses and clovers had
made their annual growth In the closing
days Of June vas too much for II TO bear
without It's damaging effects. Grass
must have plentiful supply Of water or
IL cannot make full crop. On dry land
where the early varieties Of the grasses
predominste the crop is . signal failure.
Such grasses having matured their
growth can do no more and are being
cut to save the little they bear. Stiff clays
are no better, and clovers are dwarfed
10 quarter Of their natural growth
Uuder any conditions Of rainfall that
may now follow these grasses are be
yond Improvement. The measure OF the
time of their growth has been spanned,
and they will ripen and waste unless
at once. Fields fat Ia fertility
have suffered loss, and IL is on such that
the principal crop Of hay this year will
be found. Estimates Of the crop on dlf-
ferent farms are from one-half to two
thirds Of full crop, varying with the
kind OF soil and the varieties OF the
grasses they bear. In the northern belt
Of the state the crop ID better than far
ther south.
This Is dark record, yet the time Is
Ut hand for the harvest. There is, how
ever, one condition through which the
present stand OF grass on the best fields
may vet be increased. Long continued
wet weather would start q young growth |
from the bottom which would add TO the |
present stand In proportion TO the time
The cutting OF the same was delayed. |
We have known years when the growth |
vas largely increased In this way after |
he haying was begun. What the
weather OF the month may be OF course
10 one can know. The rain OF last week |
wzs light and It's effects will last but
short time. Unless frequent and heavier
rains follow, the bulk OF the hay crop |
his year Is already made.
Massachusetts, and southern New Eng
aud have Jared worse In their hay crop |
han we of the north. Farther west,
however. and throughout the Mississippi
rslley rains have been sbundsnt, and y
'ull crop is being harvested. There is
,lso q large amount OF old hay on hand
eft over from the bountiful crop OF last
rear. Famine prices for the product,
therefore,, need not be looked for. The
markets for hay here In the
,ast now look to Cansds and the western
states for their principal supply, so that
! New England shortage OF the crop Will
hardly be felt In that trade. or course,
he price OF hay to meet local consump-
Ion will be well sustained, but this
lever takes any considerable amount st
extreme prices. Hence, though the hay
'rop will be extremely short 10 the state
here will be no cause for selling stock
Il ruiuously iow values or paving ex.
RENE prices for their feed. The eau
lon Of the Farmer last year to husband
all the hay, though IL WAS
,lenty for the time, for IL WAS probably
lot far 10 the future when Ii would be
,eeded, seems to have been well founded.
-Msine Farmer.