ON HAYMAKING. 209 



and overheating in the stack ; and that it thus 

 removes two great causes of anxiety, it may be 

 well worth the public attention. 



In the first place, as to the state of the wea- 

 ther, it generally happens at this season of the 

 year, that there are three or four days rain and 

 three or four days dry; therefore, on beginning 

 to cut the grass, as it is well known that during 

 wet weather grass may be cut, and suffered to 

 remain in the swarth for several days without 

 injury; and it being desirable, where hands are 

 plenty, to have a good quantity, or as much as 

 will complete a stack in a day, in the same 

 state of forwardness ; I should prefer beginning 

 to cut during the rainy weather : however, be 

 this as it may, the swarths should not be opened 

 but on a certain fine day; and when this is 

 done, the grass should be well shaken apart and 

 equally spread over the ground. As soon as the 

 upper surface is dry, turn it well over ; and in 

 this operation, great care should be taken to 

 open and spread any cocks that may not have 

 been divided in the first opening. This being 

 done, commence raking into wind-rows in time, 

 that the whole may be made into small cocks 

 before night. The second day these cocks must 

 remain untouched, let the weather be wet or dry : 

 the third day, if the weather be certain and 



