MANAGEMENT OP MEADOWS. 279 



A most excellent farmer says, he waits until the dew is 

 off, then starts his mower, and in the evening about 4 o'clock 

 starts the rake, and has hands following with forks, and by 

 the time the dew is falling, has it all in cocks. The 

 next morning after the dews dry up, he opens and throws 

 out the cocks, and immediately after dinner begins to haul 

 to the barn. 



When it is intended to let it remain in the cocks for se- 

 veral days, great care should be exercised in properly form- 

 ing the hay into cocks in view of wet weather. We have 

 no assurance of continued good weather, and should at all 

 times be prepared for the worst. Cocks indifferently 

 made would be, if possible, worse than if spread out, for 

 the water would penetrate them all through and the hay 

 would in a short time mould or rot. In the first place, they 

 should be made large, not less than one hundred pounds in 

 each at any time. Then make them as sharp at the top as 

 possible, so as to be stout and secure against winds. Make 

 the sides nearly perpendicular, and lastly, comb them down 

 well from top to bottom with a pitchfork so as^to throw as 

 many stems as possible parallel with one other, thatching it 

 out well in order the better to shed the water. But even 

 with the most careful management, all the outer layer and 

 some of the interior, will be destroyed by long continued 

 rains. 



Some farmers in the Northern States provide themselves 

 with cloth caps. These will effectually protect the cocks 

 from injury, and if properly cared for, will last many years. 

 It is true in our warm climate they are not so much re- 

 quired as, with proper care, the entire crop can generally 

 be saved without injury, but if any one should desire to al- 

 low the cocks to remain for several days in the field,. it 

 would be a matter of economy to provide themselves with 

 caps. They are made of 5-4 duck, cut square, with a twine 

 tied at each corner, and fastened to a peg. After the cock 

 is made, a man follows with the caps, and fastens the pegs 



