1(30 EOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



I have used salt on my liay for many years, and observation has 

 taught me that four quarts to the ton is as much as the cattle need, 

 for they would not eat more if they had access to it every day 

 while eating a ton of hay. 



I have used a horse rake for twenty years ; for tlie last eight 

 years I have used Delano's wheel rake, which I consider superior 

 to all others. One man and a horse will rake more hay in a given 

 time than six men. 



I have practiced top-dressing four years ; I cart loam or muck 

 into my barn yard when done planting, and yard my cattle on it 

 during the summer and early autumn months, turning and mixing 

 it once or twice with the droppings of the cattle, and that which 

 was made during the winter. I spread about seven cords per acre, 

 in the month of October, with very satisfactory results." 



By G. C. Waterman, Bruxsavick. 



" My method of curing clover, is as follows : — If my grass does 

 not lodge, I prefer to cut when in full bloom. When the wet is 

 well dried oG, shake out well, leaving it as light as possible. When 

 it is wilted (perhaps two or three o'clock same day) pitch into 

 heaps of about seventy-five pounds, as snug and compact as possi- 

 ble, without rolling or pressing in any manner ; rake up scatter- 

 ings, if any, and complete the whole before the dew begins, as 

 earlj- as five o'clock. Let it remain thus, two or three days. 

 Before carting to the barn, spread out and warm in the sun, three 

 hours ; finish getting in as early as five o'clock, to avoid all damp 

 from fog or dew. I cut no hay, upon which cattle will thrive as 

 well, as on clover cured in this manner. Herdsgrass and redtop, 

 rake into winrows and pitch into heaps (never roll up my hay) with 

 caps, may remain out, through a long storm. Dry it as I do clover, 

 until carting, which is to be done before five o'clock, and no drier 

 than is essential to the preservation of the hay. Such are the 

 result of forty-five years experience in hay making." 



By Augustus Spkague, Greene. 



"I think it better to sow grass seed in spring and with grain, as 

 the grain will shade it when young and weak, and Avill keep the 

 ground moist. On my land, (a clayey loam,) I have no trouble in 

 getting a good " catch" with any kind of grain. 



My mode of curing hay of all kinds is to cut and let it wilt, then 

 rake and put it in cock and let it stand over night, open the next 



