Proceedings of the Farmers' Club. 557 



reach of tlie straw from the ground to the first or second knot. When 

 that turns yellow it is practically defunct, ceases to be of any use other 

 than to hold up what is above. Then the juices of the stalk above 

 feed the grain a little longer, and they can do it just as well after the 

 stalk is cut as before. So with corn. All I want of it is to be well 

 glazed over, to get out of the milk; but I do not want the kernel 

 flinty all over and hard to pressure as a piece of bone ; for before the 

 corn is that firm the blades are as brown as frosted leaves, and rustle 

 in the wind. In that state half their nutrition has gone. But corn 

 gathered at the stage I describe is just as nutritious as though it stood 

 longer, and the fodder is as good as timothy, ton for ton. 



Adjourned. 



February 9, 1869. 



Mr. Nathax C. Ely in the chair ; Mr. Johx W. CnAiiBEns, Secretary, 

 Hay Tedders. 



Mr, S. L. Hoxie, Otsego Co., I^. Y. — I would like to inquire of 

 the Farmers' Club if the spring-tooth sulky rake is superior to the 

 common revolving horse rake. There are none of the former used 

 in this part of the country, I would also inquire in regard to the 

 practical utility of the hay tedder, and of the best one in use. I 

 would also like some information in regard to the best method of 

 hanging the horse fork. Would it be profitable for a farmer to be to 

 the expense of purchasing either or both the rake and tedder who 

 cuts hay only for a stock of forty cows and a team ? 



Mr. Horace Greeley. — Without hinting at any invidious distinc- 

 tion between rival manufacturers of horse rakes, I think the general 

 use of the teddee would result in a large and clear gain to the grass 

 farms of this country. Two notable advantages may generally be 

 enjoyed by those who use the best modern tedder. 1. Hay cut in 

 the morning of a clear day may generally, as the rule, not the 

 excejition, be put on the mow that afternoon ; and, 2. The hiding of 

 the sun by clouds does not materially interrupt the process of hay- 

 making. If no rain falls, the grass may be so actively stirred as to 

 be made into hay with very little hot sun. The result of using these 

 machines must be to put our hay crop into the barn or stack a week 

 or two sooner than before, and in better condition. On these accounts 



