CHAPTER VII 



HAYING 



There is no doubt that the wild grasses of the 

 prairie country are excellent, and of a particularly 

 nutritious nature, owing, in a great measure, to the 

 long spells of sunshine throughout the year, and the 

 splendid quaHty of the soils upon which they grow. 

 From the farmer's and rancher's point of view there 

 is a distinct advantage, too, in the fact that, if left 

 standing, they cure naturally, and obviate that tire- 

 some process known as " haymaking " in this 

 country. On the prairie the grass is cut, carried, 

 and stacked on the same day, provided, of course, 

 that there is no rain at the time. To the stock- 

 raiser the annual gathering of the hay-harvest is 

 the most important work of the year, and six weeks, 

 or at the very outside two months, is the time limit 

 Nature allows him to get up the fuU quantum 

 required for winter use. 



Nominally the date is fixed each year by the 

 Minister of the Interior when haying shall commence 



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