SECRETARY'S REPORT. 16X 



fair day, and with a little stirring it is fit to go in unless it is very 

 heavy grass, in which case I think it better to let it stand in cocks 

 two nights. 



I don't think there is any danger of getting hay in too dry, if 

 kept in cock most of the time and not parched up by being spread 

 in the sun. 



I prefer to cut grass when it is in bloom, because, if there is not 

 more nutriment in it, cattle relish it better, and I think will grow 

 and thrive better upon it. 



I use a horse rake, and think I save fifty per cent, in the work 

 of raking. Have used the spring tooth, but now use Delano's, 

 called b}'' some the wheel rake, and like it better." 



By G. II. Andrews, Monmouth. 



" Farming is not my business ; yet I live in the midst of a farm- 

 ing community, and having more or less to do with that branch of 

 business, I am interested in whatever tends to promote the cause 

 of agriculture. • I shall therefore submit for your perusal some of 

 my observations and experience. 



The best time for seeding grass land is spring, because becoming 

 more firmly rooted, it is better able to withstand the frosts of win- 

 ter. Our winters, or rather I might say springs, are very hard 

 upon the grass crops, hence the necessity of being well rooted. 

 Some however, have sown as late as September, and succeeded 

 well ; but I would advise none to put it off till fall, but to sow as 

 early as possible in the spring. 



I am satisfied when seed could be sown early, it will do better 

 sown alone, but our farmers are not conditioned to do so ; there- 

 fore, it is usually sown with grain, and with wheat or barley does 

 quite well. We consider wheat or barley decidedly the best of all 

 grains with which to sow grass seed, as they do not cover the 

 ground, so but that the sun and air, which are necessary for the 

 growth of all plants, can reach the young shoots. Farmers cannot 

 take too much pains in this particular, to secure a good catch oi 

 grass, as it is the most important crop of the farmers of Maine. 

 Few of our farmers have made much money by the raising of grain, 

 but many of them have acquired an independence by the raising of 

 stock. 



We grow no other grasses than herdsgrass, redtop and clover, 

 or at least I might say no other seeds are sown. Bog and meadow 

 gi-asses are grown somewhat with us, but I esteem such hay but 

 11 



