MAKING HAY. 287 



prophets, after the manner of his forefatliers, but consults the 

 ** probabilities" of the signal service. — (Killebrew.) 



If the grass is heavy, the dew should be nearly off before begin- 

 ning. If the cutting bar is at one side the driver strikes out 

 with the "off horse" next to the fence; he then turns about, 

 driving over the swath last cut, and goes around as much as he 

 chooses. Or if he use a Eureka or other mower where the ma- 

 chine follows the team immediately, he may go back and forth 

 on one side or proceed in some other manner. 



Before noon, and perhaps after noon also, the hay tedder stirs 

 the grass once or more. Tow'ards night it is raked and put into 

 cocks. If there is much clover the tedder must not be used 

 after the leaves have dried, as it crumbles and wastes the 

 most valuable part of the hay. The leaves of clover will dry a 

 long time before the stems. 



If cut late in the afternoon, or in the evening, so it does not 

 wilt, no harm will come if a heavy dew falls on the hay. If the 

 day is a fair one it is not good practice to cut grass in the mid- 

 dle of the day and leave it partially cured exposed to dew or rain. 



The finest hay is made in dry, sunless weather, with little dew, 

 and as little handling over as possible. Burning too long in the 

 hot sun renders the hay brittle, and some of it will be lost in 

 handling. 



As usually made, the best clover hay is only fairly wilted be- 

 fore it is put in the cock, where it remains from four to seven 

 days. In the meantime the cocks are carefully opened once or 

 more each into two or three piles for an hour or two, then put 

 up again. 



If not very well cured, hay will keep better in a close mow in 

 the barn than in a loft or in a stack where it is much exposed to 

 the air. The closer the barn the better for the hay. 



The following was prepared by Prof. H. P. Armsby, of Wis- 

 consin : 



