1 WHOLE NO. 131. 
VOLUME III. NO. 27. f- 
ROCHESTER, N. Y.—THURSDAY, JULY 1 , 1852. 
Igrtniltunil Dcjuirtnmit. 
PROGRESS AND IMPROVEMEN'^ 
HAY AND HAY-MAKING. 
July is with us again—sunny, sultry and 
showery—and the hay-makers will soon be 
busy in the meadows. All flesh is grass, 
says the moralist,—it is cut down and with- 
ereth in an hour. So all hay is of grass, 
and its power of becoming really Jiesh, de¬ 
pends very much on the timo of its cutting 
and the manner of its curing. In other 
words, the valuo of hay, as food for stock, 
accords with tho care and judgment bestow¬ 
ed upon its manufacture from the raw ma¬ 
terial. Tho difference between hay and 
straw is not so much in tho plants them¬ 
selves, as in tho stago of growth in which 
they are cut and tho curing they receive.— 
And, as more depends upon the first than 
upon tho last, wo will givo the substance of 
some researches and experiments made in 
elucidation of this subject by Dr. Thomp¬ 
son, an eminent Agricultural chemist of 
England. 
.. The properties in grass which constitute 
its value in the form of hay, and which it is 
most important to securo as affording sus- 
tenanco for animals, aro chiefly starch or 
sugar, gum, and oil. “When grass first 
springs above the surface of tho earth,” 
says Dr. T., “ tho principal constituent of 
its blades is water, tho amount of solid 
matter being comparatively trifling; as it 
rises higher into tho day. the deposition of 
a more indurated form of carbon gradually 
becomes more considerable; tho sugar and 
soluble matter at first increasing, then grad¬ 
ually diminishing, to givo way to tho depo¬ 
sition of woody substance. 
“ If, as we have endeavored to show, tho 
sugar be an important elemeht of tho food 
of animals, then it should bo an object with 
the farmer to cut grass for tho purpose of 
haymaking at that period when the largest 
amount of this substanco is contained in it. 
This is assuredly at an earlier period of its 
growth than when it has shot into seed, for 
it is then that woody matter predominates; 
a substanco totally insoluble in water, and 
therefore less calculated to servo as food 
for animals than substances capable of as¬ 
suming a solublo condition. This is the 
first point for consideration in tho produc¬ 
tion of hay, since it ought to bo tho object 
of tho farmer to proservo tho hay for win¬ 
ter use, in the condition most resembling 
the grass in its highest state of perfection. 
Tho second consideration in hay-making is 
to dry tho grass under such circumstances 
as to retain tlio solublo portion in perfect 
integrity. 
“ The great cause of tho deterioration of 
hay, is tho water which may be present, 
either from tho incomplete removal of tho 
natural amount of water in tho grass by 
drying, or by tho absorption of this lluid 
from tho atmosphere. Water, when exis¬ 
ting in hay from either of these sourcos, 
will induce fermentation, a process by 
which ono of the most important constitu¬ 
ents of tho grass, viz., tho sugar, will be de¬ 
stroyed. The action necessary for decom¬ 
posing tho sugar, is induced by tho pres¬ 
ence of tho albuminous matter of tho grass; 
the elements of tho sugar are mado to re¬ 
act on each other in tho moist stato in 
which they exist, in consequence of tho 
presenco of tho water and oil, and aro con¬ 
verted into alcohol and carbonic acid. 
“ The amount of soluble matter taken up 
by cold water is, according to actual trials, 
as much as five per cent., or a third of tho 
whole solublo matter in hay. Wo may 
therefore form some notion of tho injury li- 
ablo to bo produced by every shower of 
’rain which drenchos tho fields during hay 
harvest. It is not only, however, tho loss 
which it sustains in regard to tho sugar and 
solublo salts, that renders hay so much loss 
acceptable than grass to tho appetite of cat- 
tlo. Tho bleaching which it undorgoes in 
tho sun, deprives it of tho only peculiarity 
which distinguishes tho ono form of fodder , 
from tho other; grass deprived of its green 
coloring matter, presents exactly the ap¬ 
pearance of straw, so that such hay ought to 
be termed grass straw. It is obvious from the 
experiments mado, that tho oporation of 
haymaking, as usually conducted, has a ten¬ 
dency to remove a groat proportion of tho 
wax in tho grass. Thus it was [found that 
rye-grass contained 2.01 per cent, of wax. 
Now as 387£ parts of ryo grass aro equiva¬ 
lent to 100 parts of hay, and as 387£ parts' 
of grass contain 7.78 parts «of 'wax, it is ob¬ 
vious that 100 parts of hay should contain 
the same amount of wax ; but by experiment 
it was found that 200 grains of hay con¬ 
tained 4 grains of wax, which is equivalent 
to 2 percent., almost exactly the amount 
contained in grass. Ilenco it appears that 
no less than 5.78 grains of wax have disap¬ 
peared during tho hay-making process. 
Tho whitening process which tho grass un¬ 
dergoes in drying renders it apparent that 
tho green coloring matter has undergone 
change; but that it should have been ac¬ 
tually removed to such an extent, or at 
least have become insoluble in ethei’, is a 
result which could scarcely have been an¬ 
ticipated without actual experiment.” 
Tho practice of thoso who gather herbs 
for medicinal and culinary uses, and their 
modo of curing and keeping them, shows 
the true philosophy of hay-making,so as to 
preserve, as littlo impaired as possible, tho 
essential and nutritive properties of the 
grasses .The time of flowering or blooming, 
just beforo tho seed bogins to form, has 
been found to be the proper time to out. 
hay in order to securo tho greatest nutri¬ 
tive valuo. Before this period, tho juices 
aro imperfect and the fibrous matter imma¬ 
ture, and after this, tho richness of these 
juices are concentrated in tho seed. If the 
seed becomes ripe, that may bo valuable, 
but the hay is worth no more than so much 
straw as food for animals. 
Curing has great influence on tho value 
of this product. Wo do not wish to change 
or evaporate tho juices of tlio grass, but 
only to dry out the water; hence it should 
bo well wilted, and so dry that no active 
fermentation or sweating will take place 
when cocked, and still drior, beforo it is 
placed in the barn or stack. Of course, it 
depends very much on tho weather, &c., as 
to tho order in which hay is secured, but 
thoso hints will bo of valuo to tho farmer, 
who would securo as far as possiblo the full 
valuo of his hay crop. 
Haying should bo commenced as early as 
the grass is fit, and when it has reached its 
prime should bo pressed forward as rapidly 
as possiblo. Clover is injured more by be¬ 
coming too ripe and over-curing than other 
grasses. It is more subject to damage by 
fermentation, and loses much of tho foliage 
-*i4\cn allowed to become too dry, in tho 
rakjing and and pitching necessary to gather 
and secure it. So this should first bo at¬ 
tended to. Tho after-math or second crop 
is also moro valuable, when tho first is cut 
in proper season. 
The usual, and porhaps the best practice 
in good hay weather, is to cut in the morn¬ 
ing as much as can bo spread and turned in 
tho forenoon, besides opening and spreading 
out that in cocks. Thick grass should be 
turned and shaken up again, in tho after¬ 
noon and tho wholo raked and put in cocks 
beforo tho dew falls. In very fino weather 
tho hay may be taken to tho barn on the af¬ 
ternoon of tho second day, though if it is cut 
very green, and tho weather is not first rate 
it may bo better to leave it until tho third 
or fourth day. But it is injured by remain¬ 
ing too long in tho cock, unless it is pretty 
well cured, and when it is thus cured it 
needs but a littlo stirring and sunning to fit 
it for tho barn. Shaking hay about, is 
thought by some farmers to much facilitate 
its drying and curing in perfection, while 
others would avoid oxposuro to tho hot sun, 
and rather dry by sweating in tho swath and 
in cocks. Botween tho two will bo found 
tho truo practico, for extremes both of sun¬ 
burning and fermentation are to be avoided. 
Good tools aro, of courso, of much im¬ 
portance. A good mowing machine will 
save a great deal of severe labor,.but where 
theso are not in use, tho bost scythes, snaths, 
forks and rakes aro tho most economical in 
tho end. The hoi’so rake has every where 
been introduced, in its various forms, and 
that farmer who has five acres of grass for 
hay is far behind the age if ho does not em¬ 
ploy this implement in gathering it. But 
enough about hay and hay-making,—enough 
to read when thero is so much to bo done 
in tho meadows, to securo this great product 
of our plains and vallies. 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 
Agricultural Societies aro among tho 
most useful institutions of tho age in which 
wo live, and theso societies, with their ac¬ 
companiments, Agricultural Fairs, Shows, 
&c., ai’o destined, in my humble opinion, to 
work great changes in tho agricultural his¬ 
tory and condition of our country. The in¬ 
fluence of theso associations is seen, first, in 
tho effect thoy have upon the agricultural 
profession. Here it manifests itself in that 
spirit of emulation, tho fruits of which are 
improvement in everything that pertains to 
farming; in tho improvement of farming 
utensils; of stock and tho management of 
it; of agricultural productions and tho man¬ 
ner of producing them, and of tho entire 
management of tho faYm, tho garden, and 
all their appendages. 
Again, their influence is scon in its effect 
on socioty in general. All other associa¬ 
tions aro composed of memb< < of a certain 
class or opinions, or a certain system or De- 
lief, and can exert their influence only on 
thoso of a similar belief. Agricultural as¬ 
sociations embrace, or may embrace all, of 
every creed or profession; and of courso, 
can exert their influence upon all. The as¬ 
sembling togother of large collections of 
people on subjects and matters of general 
interest and importance, under circumstan¬ 
ces of so great familiarity and equality, can¬ 
not fail to produce a socializing effect upon 
the whole. Tho formation of new acquain¬ 
tances, the free and confidential interchange 
of viows, opinions, thoughts and feelings, 
must necessarily produce a salutary effect 
upon all who como within tho influence of 
theso social institutions. 
1 have said this influence is salutary — 
it is so, because it is equalizing in its ten¬ 
dency. Hero, all meet on common ground, 
'hold familiar converso on subjects equally 
interesting, and equally profitable to all.— 
Theso institutions aro genuinely republican, 
and bonce aro admirably adapted to tho 
character of our pooplo, and of our insti¬ 
tutions. They raise the poor without op¬ 
pressing or depressing tho rich; and while 
they acknowledge distinctions of merit, 
they mako no distinctions of caste. They 
erect ono civil plaform for all. 
Again, tho influence of theso associations 
is seen in their tendency to disseminate use¬ 
ful information. Tho free interchange of 
views is calculated to mako the knowledge 
of one, the knowledge of ajl. A spirit of 
inquiry is awakened, that will not remain 
inactive. Thoso who see and hear, will 
think and talk; and thoso who think, will 
act. Ideas will beget ideas ; thoughts will 
suggost thoughts, and action will stimulate 
to action. Ilenco must arise a dosiro for 
information, a lovo of reading, a thirst for 
investigation ; all of which must lead to pro¬ 
gress and improvement. 
Ilenco the influence of theso institutions 
will bo seen in the romoval of prejudice.— 
Ono of tho strongest bars to improvement 
is prejudice, and prejudice has its founda¬ 
tion in ignorance. Agricultural exhibitions, 
by setting light beforo tho world, invito the 
attention of tho ignorant and tho prejudiced 
who “ see and bolievo.” Science in farming 
is no longer a “book-farming humbug;” and 
thoso who thought themselves wise before, 
aro now willing to learn. Light and knowl¬ 
edge .spread, and improvements follow in 
thoir train. Few other agoncios aro capablo 
of exerting a greater power, or of produ¬ 
cing moro salutary and important results. 
Finally, this influonco will not only bo 
beneficial, it will bo lasting. Our country 
is too far advanced in the arts of civilized 
life, ever to recede from its high position. 
Henceforth, our motto must be “ Progress 
and Improvement.” The influence of theso 
associations, then, must tend to bring about 
that state or condition of society, in which 
man will realize tho complete development 
of all his faculties, tho highest degree of 
human perfection, and the greatest amount 
of earthly enjoyment. Tho tendency of 
human improvement is towards human per¬ 
fection ; and that perfection, so far as it is 
ever attained in this life, must bo brought 
about by human agency. That agency is 
already in operation in various ways, and 
among others, in the shape of Agricultural 
associations, and time and energy only are 
wanting to hasten tho grand result. 
What shall be said, then, of tho farmer’s 
calling ? Cortainly it is inferior to none of 
those whoso operations aro limited to the 
affairs of this life. Nay ! does it not hold 
an equal rank among those that are united¬ 
ly working out tho final perfection of the 
social, moral, and intellectual condition of 
man ? n. 
Down East, June, 1852. 
CORN CULTURE.-ASHES, PLASTER, &c. 
Corn, this year, was planted later than 
usual, almost everywhere, so it is yet in 
timo to talk of hoeings and top-dressings. 
That it is backward, is only a stronger rea¬ 
son for extra care and manuring, that we 
may have something to repay the expenso 
anti oftontinn it domauds in nil aentons, and 
more especially the present one. Of the 
prospects of tho crop, our farming friends 
can judge more accurately than we,—though 
from what wo have seen and heard, we 
think the promised “ harvest time,” will 
show fair results. Tho weather must con¬ 
tinue to bo very unfavorable, if tlio crop is 
bn good ground, and well cared for through 
the season, to prevent this hoped for con¬ 
summation. 
Hilling corn has bocomo an obsolcto idea, 
very nearly, and wo think with good - reason. 
So also has tho uso of tho plow, after 
the corn is planted. It may answer while 
tho plant is yet small, but as soon as it gets 
any growth, the plow tears up a portion of 
tho lateral roots, and thus cuts off' this 
source of nourishment. Tho plow also 
turns up the manure, as yot, perhaps, par¬ 
tially decomposed, so that a great portion 
of its valuo is wasted by exposure to the 
sun and air. The common corn cultivator 
is found a much better implement. It can 
bo run through the rows each way, without 
injury to tho roots of tho corn, and will de¬ 
stroy the weeds and grass, and nearly the 
wholo surface can bo thoroughly worked 
and mellowed by its use, so’ that the labor 
of hooing is much reduced, and tho whole 
process better and sooner accomplished. 
If a top-dressing of ashes or plaster has 
not been applied to each hill, no time should 
bo lost in attending to it. Some farmers 
apply a small handful of leached ashes to 
each hill, beforo tho first hoeing, as soon as 
the spires fairly make their appearance; 
others about half the quantity of unleached, 
or one- fourth the amount of plaster. Oth¬ 
ers delay this until immediately after the 
first hoeing. But all agree that much ben¬ 
efit is derived from tho application—and 
•careful experiments show that tho earlier 
theso stimulants are given tho more marked 
tho result. 
“ Stir tho soil,” is an injunction not to be 
forgotten by corn growers in any season, and 
least of all the present. Keep the surface 
fresh and mellow, so as to givo overy facil- 
| ity and encouragement to the crop. A fresh, 
deep soil will not bo influenced by drouth 
or rains, as injuriously as shallow and hard 
ones, and will derive much greater “aid and 
comfort” from tho dew and sunshino. In 
gardening, this is proved in a thousand ways, 
and tho observing and intelligent farmer 
will draw many hints for uso in general 
culture, from the practices there suecesfully 
adopted. 
Hasty climbers havo suddon falls. 
TAN-BARK FOR COVERING TILE DRAINS- 
Eds. Rural :—I find something in your 
paper of the 18th inst., upon the subject of 
making manure of spent tan-bark, and 
about using it for other purposes ; but in no 
place do I perceive it moro properly dispo¬ 
sed of, than when applied as a covering up¬ 
on tile in an underdrain. I have placed it 
upon nearly ono hundred rods this season, 
with perfect success, and tlio “ experienced” 
Englishmen who assisted in the work—al¬ 
though new to them—give it preference to 
any article ever used within their knowledge 
for that purpose, for the following reasons : 
When a ditch of proper dimensions has 
received its tile, carefully placed, tho bark 
may bo thrown upon them from a basket, 
however deep the ditch, without any liabili¬ 
ty of moving them out of place, and will 
also hold them when the dirt is thrown back 
upon them to fill the ditch,—and should 
small particles of bark pass into the drain 
through tho joints, they will float out and not 
remain to obstruct the free passago of tho 
water. It will also not only form a filterer 
for tho water to pass readily through into 
tho tilo, freed from sediment, but will add 
to tho capacity of tho drain, particularly 
when the tile are placed upon a board, which 
is the method I adopt. 
No trouble here with “acid” in the bark, 
or a waste of materials, already, of them¬ 
selves, a good manure, in an endeavor to 
convert hemlock bark into a manure, when 
it has been steeped until all its enriching 
qualities (if it ever had any) have been ex- 
liuutod. Ifc may Do mado to eorro as a re¬ 
tainer of liquid manure to bo drawn from it 
by the rains, as plants may tako them up, 
and in time decay, and do tho land as much 
good as hemlock saw-dust, and no more; 
and surely not as much as maple saw-dust 
or decayed wood, if the sugar in the maple 
serves, in any degree, as a manuro. 
From practice and experience, I find tho 
most and nearly all tho advantage in using 
similar substances, consists in loosening tho 
soil, particularly clayey land; and when wo 
attempt to convert them into good manure 
by mixing manure with them, it reminds mo 
of the cook who could mako a good applo 
pie out of potatoes if you would give him 
tho “ fixins.” “ It costs moro than it comes 
to.” w. 
Clyde, N. Y., June 19, 1852. 
WHAT ARE TREES MADE OF! 
Mr. Moore :— Under tho abovo heading, 
an article appeared in the Rural of a late 
date, credited to “ English paper,” which 
appears to be of doubtful philosophy. Tho 
substanco of it is an isolated experiment, 
adduced to provo that trees derive very lit¬ 
tlo of their nourishment from earth and 
water, but almost entirely from the air. 
Tho experiment is as follows :—“ Two 
hundred pounds of earth were dried in an 
oven, and afterwards put in a largo earthen 
vessel; tho earth was then moistened with 
rain water, and a willow tree weighing fivo 
pounds planted therein.” In this soil, tho 
account says, it was allowed to grow for five 
years, and was watered with rain water. At 
tho end of that time tho troe had gained 
ono hundred and sixty-four pounds, while 
tho earth had diminished only two ounces. 
The question then arises, from what sourco 
was this wood obtained ? As it could not 
havo been derived from the- soil, tho article 
alluded to maintains that it must havo been 
derived either from tho water or air—but 
still states that it can be satisfactorily shown 
that it was not derived from tho water. As 
no argument is presented to substantiate this 
assertion, wo will presont a few arguments 
to show its falsity. 
Pure water is colorless and tasteless; 
hence, rain water, as it has color and tasto, 
must hold in solution certain inorganic ele¬ 
ments which, if they are tho proper nour¬ 
ishment for the- plant that they aro brought 
in contact with, will bo absorbed by tho 
spongioles, ascend to the leaves, and through 
their agency bo converted into tho proper 
nutrition for the plant. But what proof 
havo we that plants absorb anything except 
