MANAGEMENT OF MEADOWS. 277 



Do not fail to have spare nuts, and especially spare sec- 

 tions for the blade, as the breaking of a section which will 

 occasionally occur with the most careful management, great- 

 ly impedes the efficiency of the machine, and tires the horses 

 with the harder pull it gives them. 



It is unnecessary to say, that in beginning the harvest of 

 the hay, it must not be commenced with threatning weather 

 overhead, but rather await a good day, if the hay needs 

 cutting ever so much, as it is better to have well-cured, 

 over-ripe hay, than hay with all the sugar gum and gluten 

 washed out by repeated rains. 



CURING, 



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

 opinion, perhaps, as on any other point connected with 

 harvesting. 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 di- 

 rectly. 



This difference in the plans of curing, results chiefly from 

 the great difference there is in the curing quality of the 

 various grasses. Timothy cures much easier and quicker 

 than he/ds grass, while the coarser grasses, such as Gamma, 

 Egyptian and others, require still longer time than herds 

 grass. Formerly, it was the universal custom to allow it to 

 lie until it was almost dry, before raking, but that custom 

 is fast giving 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 wind-rows. Hands follow immediately with hand 

 rakes, or pitchforks and throw it up into cocks. Some do 

 not even cock it, but, if the weather is favorable, allow it 

 to remain in the wind-row for a day, or the second evening 



