Democratic Sentinel, Volume 9, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 July 1885 — TO HAY GROWERS AND HAY DEALERS. [ARTICLE]

TO HAY GROWERS AND HAY DEALERS.

During the latter part of June the receipts of hay have been very large, about 22,000 tons arriving in ten days. The quality has been so far below the average that receivers have been forced to sell the stock for wnat they could get, usually atfvery low prices. T\ is is the result of carelessness in cultivation, gathering and preparation for market. Notwithstanding this, the average returns per ace from the hay crop the past year has been far above that obtained from any of the cereals. For years there has been a very heavy loss to producers, because hey have failed to devote to this important crop anything like the thought and labor that is bestowed upon other crops. In the aggregate the lnty crop of the United States is worth nearly four hundred millions. If the grower would bring to its cultivation, curing and marketing, the care and labor bestowed upon wheat, rye, barley and like crops, the aggregate worth of the crop could be enhanced fifty to one hundred millions. The hay crop is about equal in value to the yield of wheat, is greater than that of cotton, and is only exceeded by that of corn, and yet no crop grown wi+hin the United States is given as little attention as is bestowed upon hay.

These facts lead us to consider the question from a commercial standpoint, and to call attention to some glaring defects connected with the uroduction, curing and sale of the crop. We have yet to discover a market where poor hay is wanted. It always sells low, if at all, and to the ever present few, who disregard quality and conscience in its sale or use. AVe are constantly restricting the export demand, because the average quality of the crop is lacking in color and is not well euough cured. This year the crop in Scotland is poor, it promising two weeks ago not to exceed half a crop. This country should be able to fill that market, and would if our hay crop received the attention it deserves, for then the character of the stock and prices would be such as to foster exports. Poor hay is a source of vexation and los; to the grower, presser, commission merchant, and even the brutes that are compelled to make the attempt to transform it into muscle, fat, or that which sustains life and gives strength adequate for the heavy work reqired. There is no cereal crop grown by the American farmer that will pay as well per acre as hay, and yet it is the one that receives the least thought and care.

If the defects are remedied it will place in the pockets of producers a sum more than twice the value of ’the barley crop, eight or ten times that of buckwheat, three to ffve times the worth of all the rye grown in the United States. Is this worth obtaining? If so, reforms must be made by the grower on the field and in gathering and by the presser. As a rule, hay is left to stand roo long, and thus it it becomes oyerripe; robbed of its rich juices which go to fibre or seed. But in this condition it is, as at present, offered on our markets out of season and not wanted here or on the farm, for no stock would eat it. Growers are careless as to the time and manner of cutting, they making other crops first. Wheat, corn or oats are closely watched and every attention given them, while the hay fild, in which there is the most money is neglected. Frequ ntly the grass is cut when loaded with heavy dew, or during rainy weather oi when the atmosphere is damp, foggy and loaded with moisture, so that when sunshine comes it is on the ground cut, where it is left to dry, Bleach and spoil For the want of a hay tedder and the same thought and care given to other crops, it becomes mow-burnt, dead and oolorless, and in thi&oondition it is sent to the market * And with this sort of stuff the dealers are flooded. In many cases fanners make hay a

crop of convenience rather than one requiring their best effort and greatest watchfulness. We call attention to this mutter because harv sting hay is the work of the next few weeks and we want the grower to find a first class market, for that means more ducats, a better bank account and cheerful hearts. On the other hand poor hay means bad returns from commission merchants, disgust with farming, an empty pocket-book and unliquidated bills. The spirit of the times is, to excel. Standards are steadily being elevated by consumers and mi ddlemen. They make the market. — By heeding their demands and following out the hints above given there is “richness to you” and millions for the country.—American Grocer, July 2.

Fits Any Where.—Horace Greeley is accredited with having Avritten the following truths: “If you Avant to keep a town from thriving don’t build any m ore houses than you can convenient y occupy yourself. If you should accidentally have an empty building and any one wants to rent, ask three times the value of it. Demand a Shylock price for every foot of land that God has given you steAvnrdship over. T rn a cold shoulder to every mechanic and business man Avho seeks to make a home with yon. Look at every new comer with a scowl. Bun down the Avork of new workmen. Go abroad for wares rather than seek to do business in your midst. Fail to advertise in or support your toAvh newspapers, that people abroad may not know whether business is going on or not*. Wrap yourself up av" a selfishne-,. Th<t «w wi'U.o more effectual Avay eo retard the growth of a toAvn than rctions like those above enumerated.

Marriage Law Blunders.— The Philadelphia newspapers ridicule the marriage license bill recently enacted in that State, and it is evident that the measure is one of the worst specimens of legislative blundering in matters affecting marriage. The enactment declares that “no person shall be joined in marriage until a license shall have been obtained for that purpose from the Clerk of the Orphans’ court,” addressed “to any minister of the gospel, justice of the peace or other officers or persons authorized by law to solemnize marriage but proceeds to provide that a marriage may be accomplished without a license, minister or magistrate by the contractors procuring a ‘declaration’ from the clerk of the Orphans’ court and then marrying themselves. A marriage i? valid eeen without the “declaration,” but there is a fine of SSO for marrying without a license, and ministers and magistrates who officiate at a marriage without enquiring for the license for the union subject themselves to a fine of SIOO. The Ledger says: “The bill is a wretched piece of workmanship, characteristic of the legislature.”—New York Mail. Why Sherman is Melancholy. —Uncle John Sherman who voted to confirm Longstreet, Mosby, Ackerman and other graybacks, who sat in a cabinet of which Brigadier Key was a member, and whose associations with Mahone and Riddleberger have been of the closest, says it makes him feel bad to see the rebels getting office, So long as the objection to rebels is only that they ar democrats the hypocr : sy of Uncle John’s grief is manifest. If all ihe rebels wou T d turn republtcans they would be put on the pension roll.—Chicago Herald. . . , An exchange says some go to church to weep, while others go to sleep. Some go their wives to please, their conscience others go to ease. Some go to hear the preacher, others like the solo screaoher. Boys go to reconnoitre, girls go because they oughter. Manv go for sage reflections, precious few to help collections.

Clje Democratic Sfiitiitel RENSSELAER, INDIANA. JW. M cEWEN, ... Publisher