170 



BOARD OF AGRICULTDRE. 



best part of two hay days, after it is cut, before I cart it to tlie 

 barn — always securing it as well as I can, from the weather, the 

 first night, by raking and putting into bundles. The second day, I 

 open, spread, and turn it, before carting it to the barn in the after- 

 noon. 



My clover hay, I always make in small bundles in the field — 

 never spread it over the ground — but pitch the bundles over occa- 

 sionally, by reversing the hay ; and when partially made, put two 

 bundles together ; and always handle carefully, to save the better 

 part of the hay. And I consider clover hay, if well saved in this 

 way, as valuable as any other kind, unless it is a very coarse, pea- 

 vine kind of clover. 



I prefer to cut my hcrdsgrass when in full blossom, and my clo- 

 ver when the blossoms are turned, one fourth or one third of them. 



I prefer to cut my grass early, because I consider such hay much 

 more valuable, and the after crop starts more readily, consequently 

 the roots are better projected. The loss from late cutting, fiir 

 exceeds the losses fi-om early cutting. 



In mowing grass, I cannot fix upon any precise rule, as to cut- 

 ting it high or low. Good mowers do not cut their grass alike in 

 this respect. I would not however, cut my grass very low, nei- 

 ther would I cut it so high that the field would look slovenly, 

 when the hay is harvested. 



I generally use four quarts of salt to the ton, but only on one 

 half of my hay, as I house it ; have never used any lime. 



I use a revolving horse rake to much advantage, on smooth fields. 

 I prefer them much to any iron spring tooth rake, I have ever 

 seen. I have not used hay caps, but I think so highly of them, 

 that I have resolved not to do without them another year." 



