HINTS OX HAYMAKING 



181 



Mowing machines have greatly altered the conditions of 

 haymaking, and the change is not always in favour of the hay. 

 The temptation is to cut more gi*ass than can be dealt with, 

 and in wet seasons this may mvolve serious loss ; for m a scorch- 

 ing time grass becomes hay almost without any making, and if 

 not promptly ricked it may be so burnt up as to render the 

 fibres hard and woody. 



The stems of grass are protected by a thin coating of 

 sihcate, which has been termed 'Nature's waterproof mantle.' 

 Tossing the grass about breaks the stems, and at the fractures 

 moisture enters and decay is hastened. Hence in continued 

 wet weather the cut grass should be allowed to lie just as it is 

 left by the sc}i:he or mower, when it will take the minimum of 

 harm. In fine weather the tedding machine should be used 

 much more fi^^eely than is commonly the case, for every time 

 the machine goes over the gi'ound a different surface is exposed 

 to the sun. Often, when the end of a field is reached, the 



had been expelled by a temperature of 212° Fakr. A glance at the table will show 

 that the total dry iceight of herbage comes out in the same order as the numbering of 

 the plots — i.e. Plot No. 1 yielding the largest quantity, and No. 5 the smallest. 



* By comparison of Plot No. 1 and Plot No. 4 (the first cutting of the latter Plot 

 taking place simultaneously with the haymaking of the district) the loss resulting 

 from late mowing is only too apparent. 



Total Coxstituexts ix Lbs. pee Acee or the diffeeext CrTiixes 



PEODFCED ox EACH PlOT. 



Only Xo. 1 Plot produced a third crop. 



K 2 



