836 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK ix. 



" The time for mowing," states Mr. Sutton, " varies in different 

 localities, and in different seasons. But there are sound reasons for 

 urging the importance of cutting the grass young, before even the 

 earliest varieties have formed seeds in their flower-heads. Experiments 

 made in the chemical laboratory prove that, although there are excep- 

 tions, the great majority of grasses contain nearly twice as much 

 nutritive matter before, as they do after, the ripening of the seeds. 

 This applies with especial force to the clovers which form so large a 

 proportion of every good meadow. An objection to the early cutting 

 of grass deserves a passing remark. It is quite true that young grass 

 shrinks more than that of older growth. Still the balance is in favour of 

 early mowing, for the hay is of higher quality and far more digestible, 

 to say nothing of the advantage of an increased aftermath and the 

 benefit conferred on the meadow by early cutting. 



" Mowing machines have greatly altered the conditions of haymaking, 

 and the change is not always in favour of the hay. There is the 

 temptation referred to above to cut more grass than can be dealt with, 

 and in wet seasons this may involve serious loss. And in a scorching 

 time, when the grass becomes hay almost without any making, it will 

 be so burnt up before it can be ricked as to render the fibres hard and 

 woody." 



The stems of grass are protected by a delicate bloom, a waxy 

 secretion, which has been termed " Nature's waterproof mantle." 

 Tossing the grass about breaks the stems. There is a rent in the 

 " mantle " by which wet enters and decay is hastened. " Hence in 

 continued wet weather the cut grass should be allowed to lie just as it 

 is left by the scythe or mower, and it will then take the minimum of 

 harm. In fine weather the tedding machine should be used much 

 more freely than is commonly the case, for every time the machine 

 goes over the ground a different series of grass stalks are exposed 

 to the sun. Often, when the end of a field is reached, the beginning 

 is read}' for a fresh start, and it is a mistake to suppose that because 

 scorched grass makes bad hay, therefore quickly made hay resembles 

 scorched grass. These remarks are intended to apply exclusively to 

 meadow hay. Clovers, sainfoin, &c., should be turned in the swath 

 by hand, and with the utmost care, to avoid breaking off the leaves." 



When a particular field is ready, the whole strength of the farm 

 should be concentrated on the labour of gathering and carting the hay 

 to the rick. Mr. Sutton remarks that he has known a crop of grass 

 cut one morning and stacked at night ; but the crop was light, the heat 

 unusual, and the desiccation of the plant had considerably advanced 

 before the mower was used. Still he is persuaded that in hot weather 

 grass might often with advantage be put into wind-rows or cocks on 

 the day it is cut, although it is seldom done. " Dew is well-nigh as in- 

 jurious as rain to half-made hay, and grass which has parted with 

 much of its water on a hot summer day is in a condition to re-absorb 

 moisture from the atmosphere at night. This process goes on much 

 more rapidly when the hay lies scattered on the ground than when 

 it is cocked. The cocks should not be opened too early in the 



