258 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE, 



rolling land is not a good plan as it leaves the top hard and liable 

 to bake, especially clayey soils, and leaves the ground so smooth 

 that we are apt to cut the grain so close that there is nothing to 

 protect the young grass from the sun and drouth. If the ground 

 is a little rough, and you can't mow quite so smooth, you will 

 leave a protection for the roots that will repay you in a few years. 

 In getting hay I like to cut the grass when it has attained its full 

 growth, as it then makes the most weight of hay and gives the 

 most nourishment to animals. Make in the field until it will keep 

 in the mow without heating ; hauled in as near the middle of the 

 day as convenient, for at that time there is the least moisture in 

 the air, and I shall be pretty ^ure of good hay in winter. Some 

 people drive into hayuig with no otuer motive than to get done 

 first, and drive blindly on without discretion. Such, have poor, 

 musty hay, for their cattle. "There is a time and a season for 

 every purpose," and it is just as bad to be before as after it. 



Mowing machines are used with good success here ; all kinds of 

 rakes, from the two legged one, that goes of itself, but is of no use 

 in the field, to the independent tooth rake, are* in use, but the re- 

 volver is most used ; in fact all kinds of improved haying tools arc 

 used here." 



By E. G. Wagg, Yarmoutd. 



"Sowing grass seed is best done during the months of April and 

 May, with wheat or barley — wheat is preferable. 



Some farmers seed their grass lands in August or September, 

 and sometimes it works well, but is not so sure, as it is liable to 

 be thrown out of the ground during the following winter or spring. 

 Others prepare the ground by plowing and haiu'owing in the fall, 

 and sow without grain, as soon as the snow leaves it in the spring. 

 This method sometimes works excellently well, but as far as my 

 observation extends the grass does not hold out so long as when 

 sown on a well prepared soil with grain. 



The quantity of seed varies with different cultivators ; when no 

 redtop is sown, one-half bushel of herdsgrass and four pounds of 

 clover seed is the quantity usually sown on one acre. 



The method of curing is to cut in good weather, and spread 

 evenly over the ground ; before the dew foils rake and put it into 

 bunches of about one hundred pounds. The next morning if the 

 weather is fair these should be opened ; carefully turned over about 

 noon, and if sufficiently dry carted into the barn. 



