William M. Larrabee (1813 - 1896)

Ancestors

Husband of Mary Jane Cochran — married 5 May 1837 in Prospect, Maine

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Biography:

Curing of Hay_Dr. P. Simontox of Maine, Curing Hay.

Mr. "W. M. Larrabee, of Searsport, Maine, says that, before his grass was fully ripe, he began one morning at 9 o'clock, the grass being perfectly free from dew and all outward moisture, and mowed two tons with a machine, which amount was put on the barn scaffold at 2 p. m. The mow received no further care, and went through a process of heat and sweating, which rendered the upper layer of ten to twelve inches in thickness unfit for feeding, but the rest made an excellent hay, rich in food substance and much better relished by stock than the common hay.

"Dr. P. Simonton, — Dear Sir: In reply to your inquiries respecting my experience in putting hay green into the barn, I will state that early in last haying season, before the grass was fully ripe, one morning, beginning at nine o'clock, the grass being perfectly free from dew and all outward moisture, I mowed, by machine, two tons of grass, which with the help of two boys I put upon the scaffold in my barn by two o'clock the same afternoon. That was all I did to it. It went through a process of heat and sweating which caused the upper layer, perhaps 10 or 12 inches thick, to spoil for eating purposes. All below this proved excellent hay; some of the leaves turned dark, but nearly all the useful parts, which are lost by the drying method, being saved, it was very rich in fodder, and was much better relished by the stock than common dried hay. Specimens of it can now be seen on my premises, and at the Selectmen's office in this town. I intend to euro my hay in the same way this season on as large a scale as the weather will permit. Covering it with some cheap material, like straw or refuse hay, would be a saving.

Thanking you and all who take an interest in these matters, I am "Yours respectfully, Wm, M. Larrabee.

" Searsport, June 24, 1869."

Sources:

Waldo County Lands https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSR4-N7L2-Y?i=104&cat=73890

"Maine Vital Records, 1670-1921," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9398-4D35-CG?cc=1803978&wc=3971-7M9%3A1029440301%2C1029471501 : 20 May 2014), Vital records 1892-1907 > image 1415 of 4253; State Board of Health, Augusta.

Boston journal of chemistry and pharmacy, Volumes 5-6 Vol. 6 No.1 pages 5&6 [1870/1871-1871/1872.]