122 



flower rather than when more mature. The nutritive ratio in the early and late cut 

 grasses point to this conclusion most emphatically. Although there is a general 

 increase in the total dry matter of the grass as maturity is reached, yet this is more 

 than counterbalanced in most instances by the decreased albuminoids. 



Red-top (^Agrostis vulgaris), is a valuable grass, and contains a large amount of 

 digestible matter to the ton. It is useful for moist land, and as a pasture grass is 

 thought highly of In albuminoids it is about equal to early cut timothy, but in 

 this constituent it is exceeded by June grass and tall fescue, 



June grass (Poa pratensis) is an exceptionally good grass. It is also known 

 as Kentucky blue grass. It is held to be one of the most nutritive of the pasture 

 grasses, doing best on moist, rich soils. From the luxu]-iance of its growth and the 

 excellence of its composition (18 per cent, albuminoids, before flowering) it is 

 esteemed as a specially valuable grass. If intended for hay, the analysis shows that 

 it should be cut before the seed is fully mature. 



Timothy (^Phleum pratense) . — The analyses in the table give the composition of 

 this well-known grass at two stages of its growth. They emphatically point to the 

 advisability of cutting while in blossom. It then forms a very valuable hay crop. If 

 allowed to thoroughly mature, not only do the albuminoids decrease, but the digesti- 

 bility of the grass is lessened by it becoming hard and fibrous. On good soils and with 

 favourable seasons the crop of timothy is very heavy. 



Tall Fescue (Festuca elatior). — Tall fescue grass. Two analyses of this 

 grass were made — one just before it flowered, the other whilst the grass was flowering. 

 The increased albuminoids and total digestible matter in the latter show that the 

 grass between these two stages of growth had laid up a store of nutrients, and that 

 if intended for hay it should be cut not earlier than the blossoming stage. 



The conclusion to be drawn from the grass analyses with regard to the time at 

 which to cut for hay is, that while the grass is in bloom or directly after, the mowing 

 should be done. Then it is that the albuminoids are in the greatest proportion to the 

 other nutrients ; that the water has considerably decreased, augmenting the percen- 

 tage of dry matter and that the fibre is still soft and digestible. Although, when more 

 mature, the grass contains a gi-eater amount of drj' matter, yet because many of the 

 seeds have dropped, the albuminoids are proportionatel}^ less. The fibre has then 

 increased, both in amount and in indigestibility, and the grass has generally become 

 less nutritious. 



When studying the foregoing table of fodder analyses it will be well to first 

 inspect the column headed "Total pounds of digestible matter in a ton," then the 

 "nutritive ratio," and thirdly the "The amount of digestible albuminoids per ton." 

 By following this order, and then consulting the other columns, the comparison of 

 the feeding value of any two or more foddeis can easily be made. 



POTATOES. 



Vhe value of this important crop depends chiefly upon the yield per acre, the 

 size of the tuber, with its freedom from scab, and its eveness of contour. These are 

 largely the factors that determine the market price and the profitableness of any 

 variety to the grower. 



As a vegetable, however, the value of the potato depends upon its composition. 

 The larger the percentage of " dry matter " the better the potato. This "dry 

 matter " — vaiying from 15 per cent, to 25 per cent. — consists largely of stai'ch. 

 ^N'umerous experiments in Germany and the United States have gone to show that 

 the quality improves as the percentage of starch increases. The " mealy " potatoes 

 are those richest in stavch. 



