386 MAKING HAY. 



CHAPTER XII. 

 MAKING HAY. 



Cutting and Curing Hay.— Within a few years we have given 

 tip the sickle for the scythe, and the scythe for the horse-mower. 

 The hay-tedder takes the place of several weary hoys in tossing 

 the new mown grass; the horse-rake with a spring seat for the 

 driver takes the place of the old hand rake. In some places the 

 hay-loader is attached to the rear of the wagon and saves much 

 heavy work. The large hay forks with a rope, a few pulleys, a 

 horse, a hoy and a little planning hy the farmer, elevate the 

 hay in large bunches to the top of the highest stack or the hay 

 loft. This is all easy, if you have good tools and know how to 

 manage, hut no book can tell a beginner all about it. The op- 

 erator must use his own judgment in deciding between that 

 which is valuable and that which is not worthy of his attention. 



Implements are all the time improving, and enterprising man- 

 ufacturers see that the farmers know the fact. Instructions are 

 freely given in reference to their use, hence little need here be 

 said in reference to them. 



Previous to haying the business farmer will put everything in 

 good order. He has a few extra bolts, nuts, one or more extra sickle- 

 bars and sections, and is prepared to meet slight accidents with- 

 out delay. He has a good steady team and a careful driver who 

 has some tact with tools. Before the grass had made much 

 growth some pains was taken to remove stones, stumps or other 

 obstructions, or to mark them so their location could be known 

 when the grass had become tall. 



For the prospects of fair, settled weather he no longer relies 

 wholly on the almanac, the moon's phases or the weather 



