Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 393 



nitiire varnish, and will dry quick and look well; but shellac varnish 

 is much cheaper than any other kind of varnish, and will dry in 

 half an hour, and will make cone frames look beautiful. To make 

 it, procure the shellac — a kind of gum — at the druggist's, and put 

 it in a bottle or jug, and apply enough good alcohol to cover it; 

 cork it tight and keep it in a warm place, and in a few da3's the 

 gum will all be dissolved. K the varnish is too thick, apply a 

 little more alcohol. Adjourned. 



January 21, 1868. 



Mr. Nathan C. Ely in the chair; Mr. John W. Chambers, Secretary. 



THE BEST TIME TO CUT HAY. 



Mr. H. A. Wilcox, Mendon, Adams county. El. — Believing that 

 in all temperate climates grass is king, and that the nutritive qual- 

 ities of hay depend much upon the time that grass is cut, any light 

 that can be thrown on this subject is of importance, as all will 

 acknowledge, who think of the many millions of wealth involved, 

 and the great results depending thereon. 



I think we can safely make this assertion, that all annual plants, 

 and all plants that are cut to the ground every winter, reach their 

 full growth when in bloom. The blossom is the last stage of 

 growth. Every blossoming plant has then reached its utmost 

 growth and strength. The strength of a plant at this time is 

 equally diffused through all its members. Blossoms, leaves and 

 stalks are all full of vitality. The next stage of existence is the 

 formation of its seeds. As the seeds grow larger, the leaves and 

 stalks grow smaller; then the strength and vitality leave them, 

 and, when the seeds are fully ripe, the leaves fall from the stalk, 

 and the stalk becomes dry and worthless. Look at a stalk of corn 

 when in full bloom. How full of strength and vitality it is. It 

 has reached its utmost growth. As soon as the ear is formed, then 

 the strength begins to leave the stalk and leaves. As the ear 

 grows larger, they grow smaller, and when the ear is fullj- ripe the 

 leaves dry and blow away. All, or nearly all, the strength of the 

 plant is concentrated in the ear. Hence, the best time to cut hay 

 is when the grass is in blossom. I know there is an objection with 

 regard to timothy, as the pollen from the blossom makes it dis- 

 agreeable to work among; but it should be cut as soon as the bios- 



