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THE AMERICAN HAY-TEDDER.

THE use of the hay-tedder is to hasten the curing of hay. It was used many years in England before mowing-machines were introduced, but was not much used in this country till the scythe had, to a great extent, been superseded by various machines. Taken on the swathes left by the scythe, the tedder distributes the cut grass evenly over the ground, and in a condition to dry rapidly. It was argued that the tedder could not be used with as much advantage in connection with the mowing-machine as with the scythe, on account of the more even and lighter condition in which the machine left the grass. The position seems not unsupported by reason; but practice has demonstrated that there are important advantages in the use of the tedder for machine-cut grass. In many instances-especially in clover, and in all cases where the burthen is very heavy-the tendency of the machine is to gather the crop into masses too compact to dry rapidly. A good tedder distributes these masses as it would ordinary scythe-swathes.

Again, the benefits to be derived from the tedder are not confined to simply spreading the green hay by once going over the field. Every farmer of observation knows how much faster his hay will make by turning. The second and subsequent operations of the tedder are similar in effect, though better, than so many turnings; they move the hay in such a manner that the air passes through it, and in doing so, carries off the moisture it contains. The result, of course, is a shortening of the time required to make grass into well-cured hay; thus les

sening the risk of damage by unfavorable weather, and also lessening the expense of the curing process.

Another important consideration connected with the use of the hay-tedder and other improved hay-making implements and machines, is, the means afforded of rendering the crop more valuable in the aggregate, on account of its superior quality. The period in which clover and the grasses are in the condition for making the best hay is very short. Before this period arrives the herbage is too watery, and afterwards it is too woody. To secure in the hay the greatest amount of nutriment, it must be cut and cured just in the "nick o' time.” Anything which facilitates the process of curing adds, obviously, to the value of the crop, by rendering its quality better.

Before the introduction of mowing-machines, horse-rakes, and hay-tedders, it was impossible to secure but a small proportion of the hay crop at the proper time. When the scythe only was used for mowing, the farmer was obliged to make a sort of compromise, by cutting a part of the crop too early, and the rest (generally the larger part) too late. By the modern appliances, the season of hay-making is greatly shortened, and a much larger portion of the crop is cut at the right time. The tedder is certainly entitled to no small share of the credit in the attainment of this result.

The "American Hay-Tedder" differs in construction, somewhat, from any other. It was tried the past season on the farm of the State Agricultural College, in all the various circumstances in which such a machine would be required, and performed the work satisfactorily. Even in heavy, lodged clover, where much advantage from the use of a tedder was hardly expected, it divided the tangled bunches left by the mowingmachine, so that the crop was evenly and lightly distributed over the ground, and that, too, without breaking off the heads of the clover, or breaking the stalks.

The practice of curing clover hay chiefly in cock is a very good one, especially where hay-caps are used. It has been doubted whether the use of the tedder would be advantageous

But

on clover which it was designed to cure in this manner. experience proves that if the tedder is used at the right time, or before the clover gets so dry that the leaves and heads will crumble off under its operation, it will be an advantage by hastening the time when the hay may be put in cock. It was the opinion of the superintendent, that, in all other cases, the use of the tedder saved at least a day, on the average, in the time of curing each lot of hay cut upon the farm.

The American Hay-Tedder is manufactured by the Ames' Plough Company, Boston, Mass.

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DAIRY PRODUCTS.

THE season can hardly have been considered very favorable for the production of milk, on account of the extreme dryness of July and August. The unusually high degree of heat for July was also a detriment to the manufacture of both butter and cheese. Messrs. Baker & Son, proprietors of the Fairfield (Lenawee county) Cheese Factory, write: "July was the worst month for dairy products that we ever experienced. The milk for that month made but a small amount of cheese, and that of inferior quality."

The hot weather, undoubtedly, operated in reference to the production of good butter as unfavorably as in reference to cheese. In fact, without better facilities for butter-making than are provided on most Michigan farms, it was impracticable to make butter which could be called good. Inducements to attempt the production of better butter than is generally offered in the markets of this State, are latterly very much increased; and, indeed, as cheese-making is advanced, the tendency must be to enhance the price of butter, or to make the relative profits of butter and cheese more in favor of the former. Under these circumstances, it would seem to be the part of wisdom for persons who are favorably situated for making butter, to endeavor to make that of the best quality, which, from the higher price it would command, would render its production much more remunerative. The construction of spring-houses will be found most advantageous, wherever running spring water can be obtained in sufficient quantity, in proper situations. Such structures will afford, in many

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