1 934-] The Hay Collector or Sweet-Rake. 485 



however, that the quality of the crop of 1903 is stated to have 

 been distinctly inferior to that of the present year, the weight 

 per bushel, according to the official figures in 1904, being 

 62-12 lb. against 61 "69 lb. in 1903. The question of how 

 far the deficiency in the present year's harvest is likely to 

 affect the position of France as an importing country is a 

 matter of uncertainty ; but according to an article in the 

 Economiste Enropeen, the stocks carried over from 1903 are 

 not inconsiderable ; but although these may enable the re- 

 quirements to be nearly provided from home resources, it is 

 anticipated that France is likely to be less independent of 

 foreign supplies than has been the case in recent years. 



The extension in the area of land laid down to grass makes 



the question of economy in hay-making one of increasing 



practical importance. Among the imple- 



The Hay Collector me nts which have been introduced into 

 or Sweep-Rake. , . . ; . , . r , ... 



this country with the object of dealing 



more economically or more rapidly with the hay crop is the 

 sweep-rake or hay collector, of which a description was given by 

 Mr. Primrose McConnell in this Journal, Vol. IX., No. 1, June, 

 1903. The Board have received some notes as to the use of this 

 machine from a correspondent, who, after seeing it in use in the 

 United States, has introduced it on his farm in the West of 

 England. The writer observes that before purchasing new 

 hay-making machinery he endeavoured to ascertain what im- 

 provements had taken place, and which of these were most 

 likely to suit the farm. The American hay loader was strongly 

 recommended by some persons who had found it work well 

 on their farms, but others were giving it up and going back to 

 the ordinary pitching of the hay by hand. 



As some of the fields to be mown extended to thirty acres 

 and were fairly level, and as it was not intended to draw the hay 

 home, it was decided to try a collector. The first field in which 

 the machine was used was ten acres in extent and bore a fairly 

 heavy crop of clover. The collector brought its loads to the rick 

 well, and left the ground clear and clean. Very little leaf was 



