258 MANAGEMENT OF GRASS LANDS. 



by a fork or the handle of the hay-rake, but in such a manner 

 that they shall not be broken or spread abroad. After remain- 

 ing in this situation, say twenty-four hours, or more, if neces- 

 sary, they may be put into small heaps or cocks on every third 

 or fifth ridge, according to the bulk of the crop, the ground 

 being at the same time very carefully raked. In mowing, one 

 of the first principles of economy is to keep the scythe con- 

 stantly sharp, and perfectly fast on the snath, for the least 

 looseness here increases the labour to an oppressive degree. 

 Grass should be cut as close to the ground as possible, as an 

 inch at bottom will yield more good hay than several inches at 

 top. Hence the importance of smooth meadows. Lads and 

 young mowers should not work in company with experienced 

 workmen.* 



When the swarth, as we have already remarked, is thorough- 

 ly dry above, it is to be very gently and carefully turned over, 

 (not tedded or scattered after the old but very erroneous sys- 

 tem,) without breaking it. The implements used for this pur- 

 pose are described in the preceding paragraph; but some far- 

 mers are so anxious to prevent the swarth from being broken, 

 that they will not permit the use of the rake-shaft. The more 

 the swarth is kept unbroken, the hay is the greener and the 

 more fragrant. 



It is good practice to put up the hay green in these first 

 cocks, and then to enlarge them by adding two together. If 

 at this early stage they undergo a degree of incipient fermenta- 

 tion, it will do no harm, as it is in the latter stage of the pro- 

 cess that heating or fermentation becomes hurtful. When the 

 hay has become dry in the cocks, the period of which will de- 

 pend upon the weather, they are made into ricks in the fields. 

 The cocks are dragged together by a horse with a rope, one 

 end of which is attached to one of his traces, and the rope 

 being brought round the base of the cock, the end thereof is 

 fastened to the other trace, by which means the removal of the 

 cocks is very easily accomplished. 



* Genesee Farmer, vol. v. p. 210, where we find it stated, by the intelligent 

 editor, that experience and attentive observation, shew that hay is best when 

 cut late. Some kinds of hay, more especially clover, may be partial excep- 

 tions. Late cutting possesses several advantages. The hay is found to contain 

 a greater quantity of effective nutriment, as is proved by the fact that cattle 

 keep in better condition when fed upon it. It is also much more palatable, 

 and is eaten with greater avidity by cattle and horses. In addition to this, it 

 is much more easily made, requiring far less drying, and thus greatly di- 

 minishing both labour and care in the process. Nor is this all. The effect 

 upon the roots, which are to produce the succeeding crop, is by no means to be 

 overlooked. Many plants are destroyed by cutting off or moving them while 

 in flower, which would be little injured if the operation were deferred till the 

 seed is ripe. 



