340 
AMERICAN ACRICULTURIST, 
[August, 
Grain Cradles. 
Grain cradles will always be needed, even if 
horse reapers are used to cut nearly the %vhole 
crop. It is important for all to know what con¬ 
stitutes a good cradle, how to put it in order, 
and howto use it, so as to cut grain and lay it 
in a swath in a neat and workmanlike manner. 
rig. 1.—PKOPEB FORM OF CRADLE SCYTHE. 
The form of the scythe is to be noted. A very 
straight scythe is quite as objectionable as 
one that has too much curvature. When it 
is too straight on the cutting edge, it will cut too 
squarely across the standing straws; whereas 
the cut should be made in a drawing or sliding 
manner, and the fingers must of necessity be 
correspondingly straight. The illustration here¬ 
with given, figure 1, represents a cradle scythe 
of a good form. It will be seen that the cutting 
edge from a to b, about one foot in length, is the 
arc of one circle; and the other part, from b to 
c, is the arc of another circle of the same size, but 
in a different position. We have found by meas¬ 
uring, that these circles are about ten feet in di¬ 
ameter, and that the distance from d in the dot¬ 
ted line to e, w'hen a scythe is four feet long, is 
about 2$ inches. A cradle scythe of this shape 
works well, if it is properly hung on the snath. 
The question is frequently asked why a cradle 
scythe is made broader from the back to the 
cutting edge, than a grass scythe ? The object 
of this is twofold; first is to support the grain 
after it is cut olf, and second to furnish ample 
room for the straw to slide back from the cut¬ 
ting edge against the fingers, after it has been 
cut off. If a scythe, no wider than a grass 
scythe, is attached to a cradle, as soon as the 
space from the fingers to the cutting edge is 
filled with straw, the scythe can not cut off any 
more straw; therefore, as the cradle is “full,’’ 
it must slide over the rest of the clip. 
If the fingers do not correspond with the 
curve of the scythe, a cradle will not work well, 
even if the scythe is made according to the most 
perfect pattern. Figure 2 represents a scythe 
of the same form as fig. 1. The object of it is 
to show the relative length and curvature of 
the first finger of the cradle, when compared 
with the form of the scythe. The inside of the 
finger should extend at least two inches beyond 
the back of the scythe, and it is best to have 
the finger from one to two inches shorter than 
the scythe. The small end should stand over 
the point of the scythe, as represented in fig. 2, 
and from one to two inches above it. If the 
first finger rests hard on the scythe, it some¬ 
times prevents the grain discharging freely 
cradle does not gather all the grain that is cut 
off, some of the fingers are out too far, or are 
too short. Sometimes every finger stands exact¬ 
ly in its most proper position and the cradle 
does not gather all the grain. This can be ob¬ 
viated in two ways; first, by using a shorter 
scythe; or second, by dulling about two inches 
of the cutting edge at the point. Sometimes 
the scythe and low¬ 
er finger are all 
right, but the other 
fingers are so short, 
'—. ° ’ 
that the cradle does 
not gather all the 
grain the scythe cuts 
off. This difficulty can be obviated in no other 
way than by attaching a scythe 2 or 3 inches 
shorter, and cutting off the lower finger to cor¬ 
respond with the scythe, as shown by fig. 2, and 
to be also of the correct proportional length 
with the other fingers. Fingers may be “ too 
crooked,” or too much curved near the points. 
It is a common occurrence to see cradle fingers 
like a sleigh runner—having nearly all the 
curvature within 12 to 20 inches of the ends. 
Such cradles never work well, as they carry 
most of the grain, after it is cut off, near the 
forward part of the cradle, w’hich causes it to 
work hard, and to hang too heavily on the 
point, as well as to hold on too much, when it 
is being laid in a swath. 
Fig. 3.—PROPER POSITION OF FINGER. 
when the cradle is m use. The point of the 
first finger should always stand as far back as 
possible, and not catch any straws beyond 
the scythe. When some straws are pulled down 
and not cut off, it shows that some of the fingers 
stand out too far. On the contrary, when the 
Dr. W. H. Niles, sends a statement with some 
questions about the mechanical powers involved 
in a common woodman’s expedient to make a 
tree fall where he wishes it to, which, though 
intended for our problem column, contains a 
valuable practical hint, so we insert it here. 
The questions will tax the mathe¬ 
matics of some older heads than 
might find them W’ere they on the 
children’s page.—“The woodman 
often finds it necessary to fell a 
tree in an opposite direction to that 
toward which it leans. To do this 
he places a stiff pole, A, B, against 
the tree and makes the foot im¬ 
movable by driving a stake, he then places 
another pole, (7, D, a little shorter than the first 
in like manner against the tree—the centre of 
this he has weakened by chopping, so that it 
will bend easily. He now cuts the tree nearly 
off at the stump, when by bringing the centre 
of the pole, (7, D, down a few inches at E, and 
then lifting with his shoulder until the pole is 
straightened, the tree is moved in the opposite 
direction. The end of the pole. A, B, is now 
crowded down the trunk so as to hold what he 
has gained. By repeating the operation the top 
of the tree is thrown beyond the base, and the 
tree falls where he wishes to have it. 
Questions .—Suppose the pole, (7, D, is ten feet 
long, and a force 100 lbs. is exerted at what 
power is exerted against the tree at C. —1st. 
When the centre of the pole at E^ is 6 inches 
from a straight line ?—2nd. When it is five inch¬ 
es from a straight line?—3d. When it is four 
inches from a straight line?—4th. When it is 
three inches from a straight line?—5th. When 
it is two inches from a straight line?—6th, 
When it is one inch from a straight line?—and 
finally, which of the mechanical powers has 
been thus employed ?” 
Salting Stock, and Salting Hay. 
There can be no doubt that the animal econ¬ 
omy requires salt. The natural and universal 
desire for it, the wide-spread supply of it by the 
hand of Providence, and the good effects of its 
moderate use, demonstrate this. It operates 
both as a tonic and a gentle laxative; it regu¬ 
lates the stomach and bowels, and gives an edge 
to the appetite. Still, animals may take it to 
excess, and hurt themselves when they get 
access to it after long deprivation. It is the fa¬ 
vorite practice of some farmers to salt their 
stock regularly once in so many days, giving 
them always a fixed quantit}^ This generally 
works well. Others prefer to keep a supply al¬ 
ways within reach of their cattle, so that they 
can go and satisfy their natural cravings for it 
whenever they choose, reasonably supposing it 
as safe to do so as to allow stock to drink at 
pleasure from a running stream. In regard to 
salting hay at the time of harvest in order to 
prevent heating and moulding, in case the hay 
is not thoroughly cured, it is most important 
not to over-salt, as evil effects may accrue to the 
stock. Six quarts of salt to the ton, evenly dis¬ 
tributed, is sufficient for the greenest, and not 
too much for the animals. Salt, as commonly 
thrown upon the hay-mow, falls in lumps and 
handfuls here and there, so that the stock get 
too much of it to-day and too little to-morrow. 
When they eat to excess, it produces an unnat¬ 
ural thirst, laxness of the bowels, and weakness 
of the limbs. It is of course safer and better to 
store away the fodder, well cured, without salt, 
and let the cattle have daily access to salt 
troughs under cover in their yards, M’here they 
will take only as much as nature requires. 
Sorghum as a Green Fodder Crop. 
Indian corn requires a rich soil, and one not 
liable to suffer from severe drouths, to make a 
really good growth of stalks for cutting for fod¬ 
der, green or dry. Sorghum, if the soil be well 
worked and not weedj’, will in many places fur¬ 
nish more fodder and of nearly as good quality, 
especially in dry seasons. There is not so much 
need of care in selecting the seed, and this crop, 
if it get a good start will bear drouth very well. 
It should be sown in drills about two feet apart. 
The ground should be deep, mellow, and free 
from weeds. When the seed first comes up, the 
little plants are hard to tell from grass, and are 
liable to be choked, hence clean land is very 
desirable. It is cut and cured like corn stalks. 
