342 



NEW ENGLAND FARRIER. 



July 



rimmed wheels. This mode injures the land 

 considerably, making the track where it is car- 

 ried off nearly unproductive. Large quanti- 

 ties are annually stacked on the mart^h on 

 stakes driven into the ground, and projecting 

 high enough to keep the hay out of the way ol' 

 ordinary tides, to be removed in the winter by 

 teams when the creeks are frozen over. But 

 probably more is removed by boats than in any 

 other way. This is done both when the hay is 

 in a dry and green state. On the theory that 

 the Salter the hay the better it is, many 

 think that the quality of the fodder is better 

 when it can be cured on the marsh, rather 

 than be moved and dried on the upland. 

 This is the opinion of the writer, but there 

 is much difference in the minds of farmers 

 about this ; and still more in their prac- 

 tice, as most are obliged to consult their neces- 

 sities and convenience, as the business must be 

 attended to frequently on such a day, and at 

 such hours, or run the risk of losing the labor 

 and the hay. 



The salt hay harvest, under any circumstan- 

 ces, but especially for those living at a dis- 

 tance, is very hard and laborious. As stated 

 above, on account of the weather and tides, 

 and tlie distance, it is always necessary to at- 

 tend to the work in good earnest when we get 

 there. Drones and lazy persons, though thej' 

 may be endured at home, cannot be tolerated 

 at all here. Even those of delicate constitu- 

 tions, or slightly indisposed, however good 

 their intentions, are generally advised to stay 

 at home. Employers and laborers, too, in this 

 work must not be over nice as regards refined 

 and literary associates in labor ; nor too exact 

 as to set hours of work. The advocates of 

 the eight hour system will, I think, find it very 

 difficult to make a rule that will work well in 

 the salt hay harvest. Twelve, fifteen, and even 

 eighteen hours, owing to high ■"'inds, tides and 

 disappointments, are sometimes necessary to 

 accomplish the day's Avork, and attain the ob- 

 ject contemplated in the morning ; and this, 

 when it cannot be helped, ought to be sub- 

 mitted to by laborers without complaining. 

 But the exposure, hard work, and long days 

 necessary iii this employment, are partly bal- 

 anced by the excitement, hilarity and good liv- 

 ing which very often go with it ; so that labor- 

 ers, as a general thing, of robust health are not 

 averse to engaging in it. The business is re- 

 garded as healthy for most people. 



Thirty years ago salt hay was worth from 

 eight to twelve dollars per ton in the market, 

 and the price of labor was $1 to $1.25 per 

 day. At j)resent it is worth from $20 to $25 

 per ton, and the price of labor is $2 or $2.50 

 per day, and board. 



INIarsh land, for the purposes of taxation, is 

 vahunl by the assessors at about thirty dollars 

 per acr(!. When sold at auction or private 

 sail', the price varies according to quality and 

 location; but the above may be considered a 

 fair average price. We think one ton to an acre 



may be considered an average crop. Some 

 acres will produce two tons. 



When the hay has to be freighted an ordin- 

 ary distance, one man is reckoned to perform 

 the labor of getting one-h;df acre, or about 

 twelve cwt. of hay, in a day. 'Ihe hay is then 

 landed and spread on the upland, or loaded 

 on wagons to be carted to ihe owner, in a 

 green state ; making the expense of getting it 

 in this way, including wharfage and boat and 

 other incidental items, in round numbers, about 

 seven dollars per ton. It then has to be cured ; 

 the only labor required in good weather being 

 to turn it once, and rake it up. The expense 

 of carting it five miles is about $2.50 per ton. 

 Thus making the whole cost of getting and 

 hauling five miles, about $12 per ton. 



Of course these statistics will be varied very 

 much by the weather, tides, &c. ; but under 

 ordinary circumstances, I think it will be seen 

 that a fair profit is left for the owner. Those 

 who live in the immediate vicinity of the marsh 

 can doubtless secure the crop some cheaper 

 and easier than those who live more remote. 

 And the shore marsh yields less burden, but 

 of a better quality than the broad marsh ; and 

 tlie expense of getting it is less. The hay that 

 Is freighted varies much In quality ; some kinds 

 of coarse thatch being worth but little except 

 for manure. It is excellent for that, and is 

 largely used by some farmers for litter, &c., 

 after being picked over by the cattle. 



This kind of fodder appears to be growing 

 in favor with the community. It is more ex- 

 tensively teamed to Boston and other places 

 remote from its locality, than formerly, and 

 finds a ready market. In the immediate vicinity 

 where it grows, it is fed out to all kinds of 

 stock. It was formerly thought not to be good 

 for horses ; but the writer has been informed 

 that some horses have been wintered entirely 

 on the coarser kinds, with the addition ol some 

 meal daily, and were very strong and In good 

 condition all the time. .It is frequently mixed 

 with swale hay, and fed out to oxen and cows, 

 which will thus consume both kinds, when the 

 meadow hay would not be eaten at all alone. 



Its nature is to Impart flesh and strength to 

 animals rather than fat. AVorking oxen kept 

 chiefly on the better kinds have been noted 

 for their sleek appearance, and their strength 

 and ability to labor ; but it is never used for 

 the purpose of fattening. It should not be 

 fed out extensively to cows giving milk. 

 They will eat it ulth great avidity alter being 

 confmed to fresh fodder ; and a small (juantlty 

 Is beneficial and even necessary for them. But 

 the milk I'rom cows kept principally on salt hay, 

 though of the better kinds. Is n\)t to be blue 

 and thin, and of a disagreeable taste. 



I think the liicts fairly warrant me in saying 

 that a certain amount of this kind of Ibdder, 

 though it may not be absolutely necessary for 

 stock. Is very beneficial, and that Ihe statistics 

 show that farmers get ordinarily a fair compen- 

 sation for their labor and capital invested. 



