B52 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



IMPROVE© HAYING MACHINES. 



Prof. Mapes. — The improvement in haying machines enables 

 farmers to make hay cheaper and better than formerly. Most 

 of them know something of mowing-machines, but there is 

 anotlier important machine for them to know, as the hay crop is 

 increased b}^ a better system of farming, and that is the " ted- 

 ding machine," which stirs the hay by horse-power. By the use 

 of this machine, hay cut by the mower, after the dew is off, may 

 be cured fit to go in the barn the same day, if put up with salt. 

 Hay-caps and horse-forks, too, are great helps to the hay-maker. 

 So is the subsoil plow, for with it old meadows can be renovated 

 without turning the sod, by running it every three feet, and 

 manuring. 



John G. Bergen. — Hay may be cured in one hot day, but as a 

 general thing it must have more time, if cut when in the best 

 condition, that is, before the blossom falls. Clover cannot be 

 cured in one day by any process. 



Adrian Bergen. — I am satisfied that it is best to cut grass 

 early, and use salt, half a peck to a ton,. to cure it. Stock pre- 

 fer it when salted, and it keeps better. 



Mr. John G. Bergen wished to know the proper time to cut 

 Timothy hay. 



Mr. Adrain Bergen. — I cut my Timothy before it blossoms. 

 If, by tliis process, I do not get as much per acre, I get a very 

 superior kind of hay. 



Mr. Solon Robinson read a letter from Cairo, Illinois, from 

 which the following passages are extracted : 



"In a recent number of The Illinois Farmer, printed at Spring- 

 field, by M. L. Dunlap, Esq., is the most remarkable article ever 

 appeared in any agricultural paper, or in any publication what- 

 ever. It discusses the question, whether corn at ten cents is 

 'profitable for fuel. The conclusion reached is, that coal is the 

 cheapest; that at nine cents, corn would be cheapest; but, 

 unless tlie coal or wood is of first quality, the wife should be at 

 liberty to send to the corn-crib. This will be new to most 

 readers — it is equally new that corn will burn at all. I am 

 informed tliat it makes a good fire. I am happy to say I have 

 never seen it burn. 



Nothing more than this is needed to show that we have raised 

 too much grain. Most of the farmers know it, but every one is 

 not persuaded what can most profitably be raised instead. This 

 letter aims to supply the seeming want. 



