HARVESTi:>fC. 



further benefit from its standing is at an end ; the grain 

 has, in fact taken every thing" that is requisite to per- 

 fect it from the cfrounrj. 



By cutting' early it will yield more and whiter flour ; 

 will waste less by shelling ; the harvesting will be expe- 

 dited, so as to prevent the waste of sheiUng, by having 

 the last cuttings become too ripe ; and as far as the val- 

 ue of the straw, whether for fodder or other purposes, is 

 concerned, an advantage is gained by cutting it vvhile 

 the circulation is going on, and by that means preserv- 

 ing a part of the natural juices ; the value of straw, like 

 that of hay, depending upon the proportion of natural 

 juices it contains, and the pains which have been taken 

 to preserve them. 



Some farmers determine when grain is fit to cut, by 

 the following signs : when the straw is all turned, ex- 

 cepting at the joints ; when the kernel becomes so hard, 

 that it cannot be mashed between the thumb and finger ; 

 or when the straw below the ear becomes so dry, that 

 no juice can be forced out by twisting it. If the weath- 

 er is fine, it can be bound, and put into the shock imme- 

 diately after cutting ; but if the stalk is stout, and the 

 ear full and lieav}^, it should lay till the after part of the 

 day; it can then be bound, shocked, stacked, or carted 

 with safety, provided it is housed where it can have free 

 air, or the mows do not become too large. Sheaves 

 should generally not be larger than can be bound v»ith a 

 single length of the straw. Grain should be carted wiien 

 the air has a small degree of dampness, to prevent scat- 

 tering. 



When a severe blight orrust has struck rj'e or wheat, 

 it should be cut immediately, even if the grain be in the 

 milky state ; and it should He on the ground, but not so 

 close as to injure the heads, until such time as the stalks 

 have become dry and the grain somewhat hardened. 



It is mostly advised that such grain as is much infest- 

 ed with weeds, should be cut three or four days earlier 

 than is usual, that tlie weeds may wither before the grain 

 become too ripe. A single shower, or even a day's gen- 

 tle rain, while it lies in swath, will not injure it. It is 

 a most essential object, to cut the crop very low, to pre- 

 vent both the waste of grain, and the loss of straw, the 

 unavoidable consequences of high cutting. 



