400 transactioys of the american institute. 



Hints on Haying. 

 The regular paper of the day touching this timely topic^ was pre- 

 sented by Mr. S. Edwards Todd, a gentleman of large practical 

 experience. Certain errors are cherished by many farmers in regard 

 to the best period in the growth of grass for making hay. And some 

 absurd notions have been promulgated in years past in regard to the 

 manner of curing hay, in periodicals claiming to be correct agricul- 

 tural authority ; these errors continue to be propagated, from year to 

 year, by men who never made a ton of hay, and who are utterly 

 ignorant of the fundamental principles of this branch of agriculture. 

 As beginners come in possession of meadows, every season, they 

 naturally aim to be guided by the most trustworthy authorities on 

 hay-making. As the blind continue to lead the blind, the result has 

 been, and will continue to be, so long as such errors are promulgated, 

 that dumb animals are required to subsist on moldy, musty, and 

 unpalatable food, when, with no more labor, their daily ration might 

 be a liberal supply of sweet-smelling hay. At what period in the 

 stage of the growth of the grass do animals eat it with the greatest 

 avidity? Of course, when the leaves and stems are fresh and green. 

 Now, then, if it were better for the animals that the fresh grass should 

 be covered with a sprinkling of mold and have a musty smell, rather 

 than tlie delicious taste and the grateful fragrance that green grass 

 always possesses, why did the great Agriculturist of the Universe make 

 Bucli an egregious mistake as to furnish the beasts of the field with 

 such food, when it might have been different? Hay is dried grass, 

 and the nearer the hay resembles fresh grass the more excellent the 

 quality will always be. Here, then, we have a sure starting-point to 

 enable us to decide as to the proper stage in the growth of grass to 

 cut it for hay. Hay made of grass cut before the blossoms have 

 appeared, will be better and more fragrant than if the grass had been 

 allowed to stand until the flowers were in full bloom. Yet, if this 

 period were chosen for cutting grass, the hay would be excellent ; 

 but a great loss would be sustained as to the quantity. Therefore, 

 by allowing the grass to grow until the blossoms have nearly all 

 appeared, we have the double advantage of that stage of growth 

 which will nuike sweet-smelling hay in the largest quantity that it is 

 j)0ssible for a given meadow to yield. As the period for cutting grass 

 is chosen either before the blossoms have appeared, or after they have 

 fallen, there will be more or less loss, according to the nearness, or 

 remoteness of that period in the stage of growth, either before or after 



