110 Farmers^ Miscellany. [July, 



The great difficulty with the body of our farmers is, that they 

 cannot and will not think of a new channel for their industry; 

 neither will they let a neighbor think in peace. If it is proposed 

 to go into the culture of silk or grapes, or any thing new, the hor- 

 rors of shipwreck are held up to him, and if language of this kind 

 is not used, that which is more effective is, a low species of ridi- 

 cule. A man sometimes hardly feels that he is a free agent, and 

 rather than encounter the laugh of a neighbor, or forfeit his good 

 standing with him for prudence and judgment, he pursues the old 

 way. But many have not considered the value and profits of 

 some branches of business, or they feel that it is doubtful whether 

 they can succeed. Let such look at the world before them as it 

 is; go to New York and see the mouths which are to be fed, and 

 let him consider that to-morrow they will be increased; let him 

 study his location, his advantages and disadvantages, and make a 

 satisfactory estimate of circumstances, and if he will carry out the 

 results of his judgment, his fortune is made. Study the history of 

 the last twenty years, study the times and seasons, and adapt him- 

 self to them, and whether he changes his husbandry or not, he 

 will better his condition, and make his life a contented one. 



TIME FOR CUTTING HAY. 



The question, when grass should be cut for hay, has been fre- 

 quently discussed in farmers' clubs, and it is not unusual to hear 

 a variety of opinions expressed. It is plain, however, that while 

 some diversity of opinion may prevail, it is easier to determine 

 when it is mature and ought to be secured, than to do it; for inas- 

 much as the hay hanest lasts from two to four weeks, and some- 

 times five, it is plain that some fields must stand longer than they 

 ought; so it is equally true that some may have to be secured before 

 the grass has reached its maturity. The seasons, too, must modi- 

 fy the farmers' rules; if it has been dry and cold, a spindling thin 

 crop of timothy or red top grows up, comes nearly to maturity, the 

 whole of which may be less than half a crop. If cut, a loss is 

 sustained; for generally rain and suitable weather for the growth 



