240 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



For tlie Xew England Farmer. 

 HAYING. 



Mr. CotE : The -weather is fine for haj-ing, and we 

 farmers are iniproving the tunc, as we think, to the 

 best advantiige. The question is often asked, What 

 is the best method to eure hay ? Some think it best 

 to expo.-i'3 it to the sun until it is perfectly dry. I 

 tliink it best to cut and cock it the same day, and 

 cure it in the cock. This is preferable, as it is less 

 work, and the hay is heavier. The crop is unusually 

 large this season, in this vicinity. 



A rilACflCAL FARMER. 



Amesbuiiy, July 1-5, 1850. 



Remarks. — Ilay is better for being put in cocks 

 after partially cured ; and this mode i^rotccts it from 

 the dew. It may be opened to the air a short time, 

 to finish drj-ing. When opened in the usual "way, 

 but a small part of the hay is exposed to the sun, 

 and that only a short time, as the most of it dries 

 from exposure to the air and winds. Hay, like 

 herbs, is injured by much exposure to the sun ; and 

 •when it is nearly dry, it should be raked up imme- 

 diately. The sweet fragrance wafted from the field 

 of drying hay upon the gentle breeze, tells plainly 

 that the fine aroma is given to the winds. 



FINE TURNIPS. 



Mr. Samuel Pierce, of Maiden, has for many years 

 generally raised large and fine crops of early tur- 

 nips ; so that he has acquired a high reputation for 

 this crop. This season, he has the largest and finest 

 crop of turnips of any one in this section. We have 

 seen many loads which he has brought to market, 

 and they have been remarkably fiiir and smooth. 

 For daj's and days in succession, he has brought in 

 500 or 600 bunches, and one day last week he 

 brought in 1000 bunches, which sold, on an av- 

 erage, at 87^ cents per dozen ; a nice little sum for 

 one day's product of a crop that continues long in 

 succession. 



MASS. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



This association has exhibitions every Saturday, 

 which arc open to the public, without charge, from 12 

 to 2 o'clock. These shows are very interesting. Of 

 late there have been fine displays of flowers ; and 

 the smaller fruits also make a prominent part of the 

 exhibition. There is usually on the tables a variety 

 of fruits from the hothouse. Those who exhibit 

 fruits should have them arranged by 12 o'clock, and 

 they are requested to let them remain until 2 o'clock. 



Some years ago the weekly exhibitions of this 

 society were free to the public, but since they have 

 been held at the society's new hall, pay has been re- 

 quired of visitors, until this season. We have ever 

 regarded the rule requiring pay of visitors to the 

 weekly shows as a narrow policy, that would defeat 

 its object, and have an unfavorable influence ; and we 

 are pleased that this rule is abandoned. Throw open 

 the doors to the public weekly, and it will cali in 



many an exhibitcr, who does not "wish to be charged 

 for going to see an exhibition partially his own, nor 

 beg the privilege of a free pass ; and when comes the 

 annual or semiannual show, there will be a large 

 attendance. T*he public will be liberal in return 



CHARCOAL FOR ROADS. 



We had an opportunity last week of passing over 

 a portion of the charcoal road between this place and 

 Oconomowoc. 



The road is now being built by chopping the wood 

 four feet in length, and stacking it in the centre of 

 the road bed, to the width of about six feet. It is 

 then covered with dirt and straw, and fired in the 

 usual manner. At first, the timber was cut into log- 

 ging lengths, rolled and piled in the centre of the 

 road. This manner of operation has not proved sat- 

 isfactory, the larger timber not charring with suffi- 

 cient facility to produce the necessary quantity of 

 coal, and has therefore been abandoned for the mode 

 of operations above mentioned. 



It is found that three cords of wood to the rod is 

 sufficient to cover the road to the requisite thickness. 

 After the wood is well charred, the pit is opened, 

 and the coal is raked towards the sides of the road, 

 leaving it eighteen inches in the centre, and twelve 

 at the sides. The road thus formed soon settles into 

 a compact bed. The piece of finished road that we 

 saw had not been travelled much, but it was hard 

 and solid, and left little impression of hoof-raarks. 

 The recent rains have had a tendency to increase its 

 compactness, while it is left entirely dry. If these 

 roads wear as well as we have every reason to ex- 

 pect, in our opinion, coal will prove to be the best 

 material known for the construction of substantial 

 and durable roads. The contractor has nearly suffi- 

 cient wood cut for the completion of three miles, and 

 calculates to have it all ready for burning by the first 

 of July. — Watertown Reyister. 



Wheat. — The Rochester (N. Y.) Daily American 

 is informed by Mr. John Park, of Gates, that the 

 heads of wheat this year contain about twenty-five 

 per cent, more kernels than the usual average. 



GREAT YIELD OF HAY. 



One of the handsomest residences, with one of the 

 best, if not the best mowing lot in this state con- 

 nected with it, is owned by H. W. Clapp, Esq., of 

 this town. It is at the east end of Main Street, 

 fronting on Main, Franklin, Church, and High 

 Streets. It was accurately surveyed in 181-5, by 

 Osias Roberts, Esq., and found to contain eight acrc^ 

 and one hundred and fourteen rods. The buildings, 

 ])leasure grounds, and garden, occupy one acre and 

 fourteen rods, leaving in the mowing lot seven acres 

 and one hundred rods. On Monday last, Mr, Clapp, 

 with a large number of men, commenced cutting the 

 grass on the mowing lot, and cut and housed it all 

 last week, in beautiful order. On weighing the hay, 

 the product of the seven acres and one hundred rods 

 was found to be, tweiitiz-nine tons, Jour hundred and 

 iiinetij-seven pounds ; or over four tons to the acre. If 

 there is another lot in the state that will produce 

 the same amount of hay, we should like to hear of 

 it. The hay was all of the best quality. — Green- 

 field Gazette and Courier. 



