Year: 1869

HAY AND HAYING-NEW METHODS OF


CURING


The hay crop in Maine is most important one.
not only because Of its great money value but be-
cause also. as some writer has said without II we
should have mo cattle. no manure. no crop"


People who have no means ofknowing the amount
of our hay crop except what they see i'll their own
narrow locality, are amazed at the aggregate. In
1860 the census gave the hay crop Of Maine go.
71G tons valued at 80, 151.l60 Allowing an increase
in these nine wears of one third more which is
probably below the fact we have for the present
crop the enormous amount of 1,30095l TONS Of the
value of 1909 J40. An interest 50 vast demands
every thought and word that can be pressed into its
service: especially as to the easiest cheape>t and
best method, Of curing the crop.


Our farm consisting of less than an acre, cam
not of course Say much on this topic from personal
experience; but 50 important do We deem the mat
lei that thought for the interest Of our readers
to gather up and give to them the results of hat
numerous competent persons have written or eX-
pressed to orally on the subject. And from all
this field of inquiry we lind three modes of curing
hay in vogue each claiming his own as the best.
/. The Old method which originated in the days
of wooden pitch fork>-'the more drying the bet
ter" all the leaves and seeds dropped out and lost
all the fragrant and nutrient juices gone into
the air forever This wooden pitch fork method.
from all we can and learn is the Very poorest,
A. it is the still most common in practice. Rak-
ing up and spreading out, and over again. even
in good weather. is about the idea of this over-dry-
ing method.


9 Let the grass be sufficiently dried 10 remove
MI "a
well stirring it in one days will do; then put it
in small punches lightly forked up-not rolled-so
to remain till the interior of the piles feels slightly
warm; then for day to be spread out and tend
ed as during the first day. when if the grass is rea-
Sonaby ripe, and the weather tolerably good it is
iii for the barn Two great advantages result from
this method the first: less labor. and saving
the most valuable part Of the hay-the leaves, seed
and juices. which are largely lost in the other.
8. When every particle of dew and all other
outward dampneSS are of the grass, NOW and put
it as soon as possible. without stopping for it TO
wl--cerainly before any moisture comes upon it
where ii is to remain in the barn. When is all in.
or when for any reason the work is suspended for
few days, cover the top of the hay with foot OF
straw or other cheap material. 1t is claimed for
this method that it il is great saving of time and
labor and that every valuable property of the hay
is saved; especially It's juices. nourishng and so
rclishabe to the stock, and which natural
pickle to preserve the hay. In few days the hay
heats and fcrmentS, causing dense steam TO rise
to. and lodge in. the upper foot of the heap. spelling
it hence the use of the straw, 10 receive the steam
and 50 mach hay.


| Last year many of the agricultural publications
| spoke of this new Go 80 method and advised
trial Of it. But we do NOT much allude to it here
for that reasontor there is no abSurdity so great
| that it does not have powerful advocates some
where,-tho famous farmers club Of New York
city, which so often sends out, through the Tribune
its wordywiSe and often ridiculous advice and in
strncon,-being composed. it is said, OF doctors
without patients, lawyers without clients, and cer
gylnen without parishes but because it was last
year tried in this locality the results of which trial.
if known. may lead 10 future profit. And the per-
who has tested the thing. who is practical and
intelligent farmer, has kindly furnished the follow
gfor publication:


| DIR. p. SIMONTON--Dcar Sir: In reply 10 youl
| inquiries respecting my experience i'll putting hay
green into the barn, will stale that early in last
having season. before the grass was fully ripe. ono
morning, beginning at o'clock. the grass being
perfectly free from dew and all outward moisture
! | moved, by machine, two tons of grass which
with the help Of Two boys, put upon the scaffolt
in my barn by o'clock the same afternoon. Thai
was all did to it. II Went through a process O
heat and sweating which caused the upper layer
| perhaps 10 or 12 inches thick to spoil for eating
purposes. All below this proved excellent hay
some of the leaves turned dark. but nearly all the
useful parts, which are lost by the drying method
| 1,a.,
much better reshed by the stock than common
dried hay. Specimens of it can now be seen on my
premises and at the Selectmen's office in this town
l intend to cure my hay in the same way this sea
| son large scale the weather will permit
Covering it with some cheap material, like straw
or refuse hay, would be saving. Thanking yol
and all who take an interest in these matters. an
Yours respectfully, WM. NJ. LARRABEE
sEARsPoRT. June 81, 1859.


While we would ever he cautious in recommend
lug new and ill-considered measures, yet on thi


testimony of Mr.. Larrabee, and from much that VI


have seen written on the subject we are inclined t.


advise all who feel 50 disposed TO give this new
method fair trial on small scale; Just as human


and judicious physicians try new remedy. Blu
iii doing so. that all the conditions are compile,
with, especially about the grass being perfectly dr..
when cut. and got in without any dampness upol
it. the straw put on, &c. And without knowing
anything about it, il seems to us probable that i


would do better in a close bay NOW as the fre


admission Of air all around as in Mr. Iarrabee'
case, would tend to increase the amount of fcrmentn
ton =; just early bottling the Yeast the beer
cider, hinders the souring process in them. Thi
may be mere theory in the hay matter; but it look


like one principle running through the whole. lie
both places be tried and mark the result,


Any further information on this subject that shal


come TO hand in season, will be promptly and Will
pleasure given TO the public.


The following article from the highest of medica
authorities-the London Lancet-contains so mllcl
valuable truth, we have tested the practice fol