( 90) 



greatly improving its character, without deteriorating its own 

 quality. 



A most excellent farmer says he waits until the dew is off, then 

 starts his mower, and in the evening about four o'clock starts the 

 rake, and has hands following with forks, and by the time the dew 

 is falling has it all in cocks. The next morning, after the dews 

 dry up, he opens and throws out the cocks, and immediately after 

 dinner begins to haul to the barn. 



When it is intended to let it remain in the cocks for several days, 

 great care should be exercised in properly forming the hay into, 

 cocks in view of wet weather. Cocks indifferently made would be> 

 if possible, worse than if spread out, for the water would penetrate 

 them all through, and the hay would in a short time mould or rot. 

 In the first place, they should be made large, not less than one 

 hundred pounds in each at any time. Then make them as sharp at 

 the top as possible, so as to be stout and secure against winds. 

 Make the sides nearly perpendicular, and lastly, comb them down 

 well from top to bottom with a pitchfork, so as to throw as many 

 stems as possible parrallel with one another, thatching it well in 

 order the better to shed the water. But even with the most careful 

 management all the outer layer and some of the interior will be de- 

 stroyed by long continued rains. 



Cut clover when the dew is off, let it wilt, and rake it into wind- 

 rows. Allow it to remain in this state until the dew is off the next 

 morning, and begin at once to haul and place in the barn, sprink- 

 ling salt in small quantities over every layer. In this way the en- 

 tire crop will be exposed only about twenty-four hours, which is. 

 amply sufficient for it. It will heat and go through a heavy sweat, 

 but this will not injure it, and it will look as fresh and almost as 

 green when cured as when standing. The salt is essential to its 

 proper preservation. 



Should the farmer have a quantity of good clean wheat, oat, or 

 rye straw, it is a very good practice, and a safe one, to throw a 

 layer of it between each load of clover. It will permit the passage 

 of the air, and the aroma of the clover will penetrate the straw, 

 each in this manner benefitting the other, so that both will be eaten, 

 with a relish by cattle. 



TROUBLESOME PLANTS TO MEADOWS. 



There are several plants exceedingly troublesome to the meadows. 



