INTRODUCTION. 43 
when the young alfalfa is pushing up; even though 
the alfalfa might be destined for pasture everything 
is kept off until it has made good growth, and is 
nearly knee high and almost come into bloom before 
stock is turned in. Gloriously beautiful the fields be- 
come in May, and as June draws near we watch them 
to see how nearly they are approaching harvest. 
We have long ago learned not to regard the bloom- 
ing of the alfalfa as being an essential indication of 
maturity, but only we suspect that it is ready for 
cutting. We get down upon our knees in the field, 
and parting the stems look to see whether small buds 
have appeared at the surface of the ground. If 
these buds or shoots are pushing out, showing that 
the plant is ready to make new growth, then the 
mowers come out, three of them, each cutting swaths 
6’ wide, and with merry rattle the beautiful green 
forage is laid low. : 
Not much use is made of the tedder on Woodland 
Farm, since it shatters off the leaves too much, al- 
though sometimes it is employed when the crop is 
very succulent and heavy. Before the alfalfa is dry 
enough for the leaves to shed off, the rake is started 
and the hay gathered into small windrows, which 
are then piled into slender but fairly tall cocks by 
the use of the hand fork in the old-fashioned way. 
Rather a jolly time haymaking is, with all the men 
and boys on the place busy in the field, with merry 
callings to and fro and sometimes the note of a song, 
yet it is a busy place too. Seldom can the hay be 
drawn in the same day as it is cut down, and not al- 
