Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-07-20
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FlELRshp GRRpEN
THE GRAIN HARVEST.

When to Cut the Small Grains-Use
of the Self binder.
The exact time of harvesting small
grains depends primarily upon the use
to which the crop is to be put. With
wheat, where the straw is a second
airy consideration or no consideration
at all, as is the case in the greater part
of the wheat growing sections of the
United States. it should be cut when
the grain will weigh the most. To Sc
cure this condition cut when the grain
is in the advanced dough state. On
small farms where one machine is used
for the entire crop, this rule must be
varied according to circumstances. If
the crop is attacked by the Hessian fly.
straw falling occurs and becomes more
serious as the grain natures. 1t is
consequently advisable to begin cut
ting a little earlier, so as to secure as
much of this injured grain as possible.
The binder should be run low in this
event to gather up the fallen heads.
Then, too, if the crop is attacked by
rust, the sooner the crop is in the shock
the better The longer it stands the
more injury the grain will sustain. If
the wheat is allowed to get too ripe.
great loss results from SCATTERING
when the bundles are handled. In view
of all these considerations, no definite
rule can be given as to the best time
for harvesting wheat, but each farmer
must be governed by circumstances.
With oats, the condition of the straw
must be considered as well as that of
the grain, as this makes valuable for
age, provided the crop is cut at the
proper time and well cured If the
weather is dry. as is usually the case
during oats harvest. cut when on the
green order. bind in small bundles, put
up in shocks containing not more than
ten sheaves and stack as soon as
thoroughly dried out. When thrashed.
the grain may not weigh quite as heav-
lily as when allowed to stand a week
longer, but the straw will be very nu-
tritfous and almost as valuable as tim
othy hay for cattle and horses. Some
farmers prefer to cut their oats with
a mower and treat it exactly as they
do hay. In this case, after it is cut
with a mower, it is raked into wind
rows and taken directly TO the barn or
stack. 1t is not thrashed, but the grain
and straw are fed together.
For young stock and dairy cattle this
kind of food if we'll cured, is especially
desirable Because of the shortness of
the clover crop this season more oats
than usual will be cut in this manner
1t is necessary when storing to put in
some place where mice and rats can
not get at it readily. otherwise there
viii be great loss. The rats not only
destroy the grain of the oats. but cut
up and mutilate many of the leaves,
rendering the forage unpalatable and
unfit for feed AS a rule, most farmers
prefer to cut their oats with a binder
In concluding this advice about har-
vesting the small grains American
Agriculturist notes the excellent work
of the modern self binder: 1t cuts ev-
erything from the fax TO the tallest
rye. Self binders are now so simple
that almost any one can operate them,
and they need but little extra attention.
Keep well oiled. never allowing the ma
chine, particularly the canvas parts, to
get wet. Cover it carefully each night
and place in a shed as soon as the har-
vest is completed.