(107) 



cutting at once, so it would fee impracticable to save it all 

 in prime condition. 



Another improvement is the horse rake. The first one 

 used was the horizontal rake, that running under the swath 

 heaped it up until the teeth were full, when by a slight lift 

 of the handles it turned over, leaving the hay in windrows. 

 This it did very well, and still does well, but another has 

 come into very general use that is a little more extensive, 

 but gives the driver a seat on it, and certainly gathers up 

 the grass cleaner than the other. 



The Tedder is another machine that is used extensively 

 in the Northern States, where the weather is more uncertain 

 than here, and the hay dries much slower than beneath the 

 Southern sun. It is seldom used in Tennessee, and is but 

 seldom necessary. 



CUEING. 



This is a point upon which there is as much difference of 

 opinion, perhaps, as on any other point connected with har- 

 vesting. Some prefer to let it get dry on the ground, just 

 as it is left by the mower, while others cure it^ in the wind- 

 row, and still others cure it in the cock. This refers to the 

 true grasses, for almost every one who makes hay of the 

 clovers pursues one plan, which will be spoken of directly. 

 This difference in the plans of curing results chiefly from 

 the great difference there is in the curing quality of the va- 

 rious grasses. Timothy cures much easier and quicker than 

 Herd's grass, while the coarser grasses, such as Gama, Egyp- 

 tian and others, require still longer time than Herd's grass. 

 Formerly, it was the universal custom to allow it to lie until 

 it was almost dry before raking, but that custom is fast giv- 

 ing place to a more rapid method. Now, with many of our 

 best farmers, it is deemed sufficient to allow it to remain on 

 the ground after cutting a time only long enough for it to 

 become wilted, and then with a rake it is put into windrows. 

 Hands follow immediately with hand rakes, or pitchforks, 



