SECRETARY'S REPORT. 105 . 



wcigliing the trifling inferiority in quality, and wliicli should, in 

 fact increase, rather than lessen, the estimated saving by a better 

 husbandry. That such a gain is practicable, has been proved again 

 and again. Repeatedly have farmers told me— " I now cut over 

 but about half as much land as formerly, but I get fully as much 

 hay, and get it easier." This is one, and only one, of the many 

 ways in which saving or profit can be eifected ; and similar calcula- 

 tions on other points in hay culture, would show that immense gain 

 to the agricultural interests of the State would result from the 

 adoption of possible improvements in its culture and harvesting. 



The value of hay as food for animals depends in large measure 

 upon the time when it is cut and the method in which it is cured, 

 yet notwithstanding the acknowledged importance of these points 

 and the length of time during which the attention of thousands of 

 interested observers has been directed to them, no conclusions have 

 been arrived at which command universal concurrence. Conse- 

 quently, practice varies according to the views held. Some cut as 

 soon as the bloom appears, or even earlier, and others at all subse- 

 quent stages until the seeds fall, and the plants are so dry that the 

 product may be stored almost as soon as cut. Such difierences of 

 practice must necessarily be followed by a wide variation in its value. 

 That such variation actually exists, is evidenced by the fact, that 

 upon the same quantity of hay, and this made from the same grasses, 

 the stock of one farmer will thrive and that of another will dwindle. 

 If hay was directly consumed by men and women, instead of being, 

 as it is, an indirect means of their sustenance, it seems altogether 

 likely that there would be, ere this, more general acquiescence on 

 both the above points, and that the variation which might still pre- 

 vail could be accounted for on the ground of differing tastes, as some 

 would prefer more salt in their butter than others. 



Upon the value of grass there is far less difference of opinion. 

 Few will hesitate to admit that animals upon good pasturage, sup- 

 posing them to come out in spring in a condition which enables them 

 to progress at once and without waiting to repair the wastes of 

 winter, will thrive more rapidly, on grass only, than upon any other 

 food. 



The principal point to be inquired into in order to decide the best 

 period for cutting, is, when does grass contain the most nutriment ? 



