86 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



that it docs after the seed is ripe enough to vegetate. One man 

 of his acquaintance made a practical test better than any analysis 

 by feeding the hay cut at different stages to his animals. He also 

 tested by weight and found that a given space would yield tM'enty 

 per cent, more dry hay if the grass was cut when mature than it 

 w^ould when cut green. 



Mr. George Bartlett said he has had some notions about allow- 

 ins: grass to ripen before it is cut. He thought it would be an 

 excellent plan if the agricultural societies would offer a liberal 

 premium for the hest well-conducted experiment in cutting grass, 

 for hay, at various stages of the growth of the grass. Such au 

 experiment, if properly conducted, would enhance the value of the 

 hay crop very largely. 



Mr. Adrian Bergen gave the reason why farmers in his neigh- 

 borhood cut timothy green ; it looks handsomer when ofl'cred for 

 sale. He has tried both ways, and is in favor of letting it stand 

 for his own use until a portion of the seed is ripe. He can then 

 cure it and house it the same day. His rule is, when his grass 

 beo-ins to turn brown at bottom to begin to cut ; then his stock 

 eat it well and thrive better than when it is cut green. 



Dr. Snodgrass said that it was the universal rule in the Shenan- 

 doah Valley to cut the wheat before the hay. All farmers in that 

 section prefer to have their timothy somewhat mature. 



Mr. John P. Veeder, Albany Co. — There is no question upon 

 which the opinions of farmers are more varied than the proper 

 time to cut timothy. As a general rule, in my section, it is cut 

 pretty green; it is mostly harvested before the rye. Farmers 

 o-enerally think it best cut early. Some, hoAvever prefer to have 

 part of the seed ripe enough to grow. It is then much easier 

 cured, and not liable to mow burn. The less it is spread after 

 mowino- the better. If the weather is favorable, it may lie in the 

 swath one night, or be put up in small cocks and remain longer 

 before it is carted. It should never be cut when the dew is on; 

 and, in my opinion, the tighter the barn the better. 



jSIr. S. Edwards Todd. — We have had a sufficient numlier of 

 experiments among good farmers to establish the point under dis- 

 cussion, that if grass be cut when in fall bloom the hay Avill weigh 

 more and afford more nourishment than if allowed to stand till it 

 is fully ripe. Hay made of ripe grass will go further than if 

 made of green grass; yet the same hay would have furnished 

 more nourishment had it been cut before the grass was fully ripe. 



