162 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



liglitly, esi)ccially to feed out to stock ; it does very well for litter, 

 to throw into our hog and cow yards, but no farmer will feed out 

 much to his stock if he is mindful of tlicir growth. I am aware 

 there are those who differ from me in this matter, but I base my 

 decision u])on not only observation, but experience. 



The method adopted for curing herdsgrass and redtop, is to cut' 

 down in the morning, of a fine day. When dry from dew, spread 

 evenly ; stir often where it is thick ; put into cock at night ; next 

 day open and spread to the air. TIio hay having sweat a little 

 during the night, will make very rapidly Avhen opened, and with 

 proper care will bo in a fine condition for the barn in the afternoon, 

 and will need no salt to save it. Hay never should be burned up 

 in a hot sun, so as to be brittle ; it should be cured, not baked. 

 Clover is usually treated dillerently. Cutting in the morning and 

 lying in the swath until afternoon, it is put into small bunches, 

 where it lies until ready for the barn. "When the weather has been 

 good, hay got in tliis manner is much more valuable. I consider 

 clover hay to be very valuable. It will require more of it, but for 

 young stock and milch cows it is dccidedl}' preferable to all others, 

 in my judgment. 



When the seed is full in the milk, or perhaps a little turned, is 

 in my opinion the proper time to cut grass. The stalk has at this 

 period arrived at maturity and contains all the nutritious elements 

 that it ever will. 



Early cut grass does not contain the amount of nutriment in 

 grass of a more mature age. In late cut grass the roots retain 

 their vigor and thereby are more tenacious of life, and will not 

 run out (as it is termed) so readily. 



More loss is sustained in a succession of years by early cuttijig 

 for reasons stated above. 



If the season be wet it will do to cut close, but if dry, you can- 

 not cut close without injury to the roots. There is nothing lost in 

 leaviiig sufficient to protect the roots against a scorching sun. 



I use neither salt or lime ; do not consider it a good practice. 

 Stock, in my estimation, do not do as well ui)()n it'as upon fresh 

 hay. 



There are but two machines for cutting grass in our town. Those 

 are liked well ; they are of one horse power. 



Caps are coming into general use ; are liked well ; they are made 

 of common sheeting, and arc square, with pins at each corner to 

 run into the hay for security against wind. 



