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704 Reading-Course for Farmers. 



The reasons are obvious. It is generally loaded v/ith dust, and this 

 is often hard to prevent. The clover stem is not stiff enough to hold 

 the plant upright and it falls to the ground, and more or less dirt is 

 splashed upon it by rain. Then the leaves and stems are very brittle 

 and crumble into dust in the curing of the hay. Then again, the hay 

 often goes into the mow so moist that fermentation takes place. During 

 this oxidation or slow-burning process, particles of blackened, par- 

 tially carbonized leaves are produced, which finely divided matter rises 

 in the air in clouds of dust when the hay is moved. Some of it enters 

 the nostrils of the horse and is drawn into the lungs, there setting up 

 serious irritation. This can be prevented in large measure by moist- 

 ening the hay before feeding. When bright and clean it is a very valuable 

 food for the horse, especially for the young and growing colt, as it is 

 rich in protein and mineral matter; in fact, it makes a better ration 

 than timothy when fed in limited quantities. 



Alfalfa hay. — This hay belongs to the same natural family as clover 

 hay and meets with similar objections. It is likely to be dusty, espec- 

 ially when gro-WTi in regions of considerable rainfall. It seems certain that 

 alfalfa fed in limited quantities will prove as efficient as timothy to the 

 slow-going draft horse. Horses are very fond of alfalfa, and it is neces- 

 sary to guard against feeding an over-supply. Like clover, there is no 

 better forage for the young and growing colt. 



Corn stalks. — Dry corn stalks that have been cured in the shock are 

 sometimes fed as a substitute for hay. Experiments and experience 

 have shown that in the fall before the leaves are leached it is as valuable 

 as timothy hay, pound for pound consumed. The stalks cost only one- 

 third as much as the timothy and therefore they prove much more 

 economical. The question is often raised whether cutting or shredding 

 improves their digestibility. It will not improve the digestibility, 

 but cutting or shredding has other advantages: The cut or shredded 

 stalks can be much more conveniently stored; they are more easily 

 handled; they will retain their nutrients longer than if left to leach in 

 the shock. If the stalks are to be fed in this manner, emphasis must 

 be put upon the necessity of cutting the corn as the ear hardens and 

 before the blades and stalks become dead or are bitten by frost. 



Straw. — The straw of the various cereal grains is sometimes fed to the 

 horse as part of his roughage. While the straw has some value, the 

 horse requires much more grain when hay is replaced by straw. Idle 

 work horses in winter can utilize some straw, but they should not be 

 compelled to subsist wholly on it as it contains much fibrous material 

 and is largely indigestible. It should never be fed to hard-working 



