458 SCIENCE OF AGRICULTURE. Part II. 



to fence, one foot chasing the other. In this manner the standing corn is mowed ; 

 and the workman should take care to have the wind at his left, as it bears the corn 

 towards the scythe, and causes it to be cut nearer the ground. When wheat is bent, the 

 workman takes the corn as it presents itself lo him, which has the same effect as if the 

 wind was at his left side. And when it is laid, it is more troublesome to the gatherer, 

 l)ecause the cut corn is apt to be mixed with that which is standing ; but a good mower 

 takes the advantage of the wind, and cuts it against the way it is laid. No particular 

 directions can be given for corn that is lodged and entangled, unless it be to take it as 

 it is inclined, as if the wind were on the back of the mower. 



2931 . The usual method of mowing grain, is in the same manner as for grass, the scythe 

 only having a cradle or bow fixed upon the heel of the handle [Jig. 256.). In the 

 *' practice of most departments, the scythe is swung horizontally or nearly level, leaving 

 the stubble of almost an even height ; or if it rise on either side, forming what ai-e called 

 swath-))alks, the butts of the swaths are suffered to rest upon them, the heads or ears of 

 the corn falling into the hollow or close mown part of the preceding swath width. They 

 are of course liable, in a wet season, not only to receive an undue portion of rain water, 

 but to be fouled with the splashings of heavy showers. But in the Kentish practice, 

 which is said to excel those of other districts, the position of the swaths is different. 

 Here, the heads of the corn rest on the top of the swath-balk, provincially the ' beever,^ 

 which is left of extraordinary height, as ten to fifteen inches ; so that the wind has a free 

 circulation beneath the swaths. The workman, in performing this judicious operation, 

 proceeds with his right foot forward, entering the point of his scythe with a downward 

 stroke, and raising it as abruptly out, bringing the handle round to the left until it forms 

 nearly a right angle ivith the line of the swath, carrying the corn in the cradle three or 

 four feet behind the place where it grew, lifting it high, and letting it fall on the beever 

 behind his left foot, and in the position above described. The disadvantages of this 

 method are, the loss of some straw, the incumbrance arising from the length of stubble, 

 and a little additional labor ; but in a district where cattle are not numerous, the loss of 

 straw is not felt, and in any country the principle of laying th^ heads, instead of the butts 

 of the corn upon the swath-balk, whether left high or low, might be well adopted." 



2932. In the cutting of grass crops for the jmrpose of being converted into hay, it is ne- 

 cessary that they be in the most suitable states of growth and maturity, for affording the 

 best and most nutritious fodder. With this view they should neither be cut at too early 

 a period, or suffered to stand too long; as in the former case there will be considerable 

 loss in the drying, from the produce being in so soft and green a condition, and in the 

 latter from a large proportion of the nourishing properties being expended. Grass when 

 mown before it becomes in full flower, while the rich saccharine juice is in part retained 

 at the joints of the flower-stems, is in the most proper condition for being cut down, as 

 at that period it must contain the largest proportion of nutritious materials, but which 

 then begins to be absorbed, and taken up in proportion as the flowers expand, and the 

 seeds ripen, so as to constitute the meal or starch of the seed lobes, and is either dispersed 

 upon the land, or fed upon by birds ; the grass stems with their leaves being left in a 

 similar situation to that of the straw of ripened grain. But there are other circumstances, 

 besides those of ripeness, to be attended to in determining the period of cutting crops of 

 grass, as in some cases when they are thick upon the ground the bottom parts become of a 

 yellow color before the flowering fully takes place ; under such circumstances it will often 

 be the most advisable practice to mow as soon as the weather will possibly admit ; for if 

 this be neglected, there will be great danger of its rotting, or at any rate of its acquiring 

 a disagreeable flavor, and of becoming of but little value. Where grass is very tall, as is 

 often the case in moist meadows, it is liable to fall down and lodge, by which the same 

 effects are produced. 



2933. In cutting rouen or second crops of grasSf more attention will be requisite than 

 in the first, as the crops are mostly much lighter and more difficult to cut, the scythe 

 being apt to rise and slip through the grass without cutting it fairly, except when in the 

 bands of an expert workman. Crops of tliis sort should always be cut as much as possible 

 when the dew is upon them ; and as soon as ever there is a tolerable growth, as by wait- 

 ing, the season is constantly getting more unfavorable for making them into hay ; and 

 when not well made this hay is of little or no value. When the grass has been decided 

 to be in the proper condition for being cut down, a set of mowers proportioned to the 

 extent of the crop should be immediately provided. In some districts, it is the custom 

 to pay these laborers by the day, but a better and more general practice is, to let the work 

 at a certain price by the acre. The extent or proportion of ground that can be mown in 

 any given space of time, mtist obviously vary much according to the nature of the ground, 

 the fulness of the crop, and the goodness of the workman, but in general an acre is sup- 

 posed a full day's work for an expert mower. 



2934. The moiving of weeds and coarse tussocks of grass in pasture should take place 

 before they come into flower, or at all events before they ripen their seed. Bruising or 



