196 GRASSES AND FORAGE PLANTS. 



HAY CAPS. 



The frequent losses to which farmers are suliject in making 

 hay, has suggested the use of hay caps, made to cover the cocks 

 and protect them from the weather. It is but recently that 

 their use was introduced, and like most novelties, it has met 

 with objections from some, on the score of economy, while their 

 use is as strongly approved by others, on the same ground. I 

 have often seen them used, and the time taken to cover an acre 

 of grass or hay in cock partially cured, is less than most would 

 naturally suppose. Where they arc to be used, less care is 

 needed for " trimming down " the cock and putting it in a con- 

 dition to shed the rain in the best possiljle manner. 



An experienced, practical farmer of Worcester county says : 

 " I have used hay caps with good results. I have one hundred 

 made of cotton sheeting two yards square, with pins attached 

 to the four corners witli strong twine ; the hundred cost me 

 just forty dollars ; I think tliey have saved me twenty dollars 

 this year. I had at one time this season one hundred and 

 thirty cocks standing out in a six days' storm. One Inmdred 

 were covered, and not having caps enough, thirty were left 

 uncovered. The uncovered was worth but little, while the 

 covered was passable hay. I stooked some oats which I capped 

 — they stood a two days' rain without injury." And another : 

 " Our caps are made of heavy five-fourths cotton cloth, cut 

 square witli four little loops through which we run a slim 

 wooden pin into the hay cock ; the pins hold it better than 

 weights in the corner. Ours cost twenty-one cents apiece — 

 have saved the cost in one storm this season." 



A practical farmer of Hampshire county says : — 



" In reply to your question as to the utility of hay caps, it 

 gives me pleasure to say, that, after using them constantly, for 

 the last seven years, I consider them of the first importance in 

 the most critical branch of farming. 



" I can safely affirm, that my hay has been intrinsically worth, 

 on the average, one or two dollars a ton more than my neigh- 

 bors', which has been proved by the remarkable health of my 

 animals. 



