70 Kansas State Board of Agriculture. 



FIG. 60. Mower with windrowing attachment. 

 [Courtesy Hoard's Dairyman.] 



TIME OF DAY TO CUT. 



To get hay of the best quality, most growers agree, it is best to cut 

 when no dew or rain is on it. Hay cut with "outside" moisture on it is 

 likely to be dusty, musty, bleached, and with less of the aroma that goes 

 with hay of prime quality. The great majority of growers prefer to 

 start the mower in the morning after the dew is off and run it till noon. 

 Those who have large acreages, while agreeing that waiting until the 

 dew is off will make better hay, usually start as early in the morning os 

 they can and cut as late as they can, so that they may get the present 

 cuting out of the way of the one that is to follow. There are a few 

 who prefer to cut in late afternoon and allow the hay to lay overnight 

 in the swath, raking in the following morning after the dew is off. They 

 claim that dew on newly-mown hay does little damage, and they can 

 then get the hay well cured and in the stack or mow on the afternoon of 

 the day following mowing. Not a few assert that alfalfa cut with the 

 dew on does not gum the sickle, and cuts easier, while there are others 

 who say that wet alfalfa will clog the mower. However, it would appear 

 that the effect on the hay rather than that on the mower' should be the 

 first consideration as to the time of day to mow. Here are some opinions 

 about it: 



Nemaha county: "As soon as dew is off in morning. Dew dries off 

 better before than after cutting." 



Marshall county: "After dew is off. It spoils more easily with mois- 

 ture on it than with moisture in it." 



Harvey county: "Usually let the dew dry, as it seems to bleach the 

 hay if we cut wet and the sun comes out strong." 



Miami county: "Soon as dew is gone. Cures better and gives hay 

 better color." 



Miami county: "Always after the dew is off. Dew or rain will make 

 dust." 



