Hay Making Extrgodinary.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, 3 December 1887, Page 4

Hay Making Extrgodinary.

Uxder this heading the Ayrkidturcd Gazette publishes the follow ing communication fiom " \V. of W."— "I saw an extract from the Gazette of whit an Essex farmer had done by way of haymaking— that i->, in having cleared 200 acres at a cost of 7s. per acre, including beer. As a practical haymaker I knew at once that this could only be done by merely cutting the grass, turning it, and pulling it in with horse-rakes. My experience teaches me that this is false economy. The only true and right way of making good hay for the London market is by turning the grass soon after it is cvt s shaking it out, windrowing, and cocking ifc. This makes uniformity, and it retains its weight, colour, and aroma. I have been a large haygrower for the last thirty years, and, as I have done this year what I never did before, I think it is worthy of record. I started cutting with three machines on June 20th, and continued without intermisson (excepting half-a-day for Jubilee) until the finish, and, owing to the extraordinary season, ye were enabled to complete the cutting and carting of 392 acres in eighteen consecutive working days, thanks to the glorious sunshine. The whole of this quantity, except about thirty acres, was turned and shaken out with the small hand fork (not with haymakers), windrowed, and cocked, and I have secured 700 loads of the best hay it is possible to get together. I us>ed about 200 gallons of home-brewed beer, and paid -€250 in wages, but this included carting lifty-live loads of hay and straw to London. Having a large [ private connection, I dispose of nearly the I whole of my growth. lam thus bound to give fchi's business the same attention in hay time as another time. To cany out the whole of my business requires a team, during the season, of twenty horses and three ponies. The whole of the men behaved admirably, and worked, as only Englishmen can work, and with but little grumbling. In the last week, we cleaved in two days 91 acres, viz., <J3 acres on the Monday, and 48 acres to finish up on the Saturday, This being something uncommon, each man was promised one 'shilling extra, and by all working together and making extra effort wo succeeded in accomplishing what wo had laid out. The land is very dhided, and is six mile*? asunder from point to point. I feel very proud of having accomplished this great feat, and am almost open to challenge the world in having secured the quantity and quality so efficiently in the given time —that is, under the supervision of ono master and one gang of men. Cheap haymaking generally means hobstac'r.s: I urn happy to say I have nothing of the kind. I enclose my card, and if my statement is disputed, I shall bo very pleased to see the disputant and confirm it by proof."