230 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



in full bloom, because they will be so much more tender and 

 will be eaten with so much better relish ; yet I do not believe 

 in feeding wholly upon them, especially immediately after 

 changing from other feed. 



Question. Should you apply the same rule to grass ? 



Mr. Cheever. I suppose the questioner has read the dis- 

 cussion on this subject as to when grass is worth the most. 

 Every farmer knows that his cattle like hay best that is cut 

 early enough to be tender, a little before it is in full bloom ; 

 but hay is the most expensive food that I can grow on my 

 farm for stock. 



Question. I would like to know if you make winter fod- 

 der of these green crops that you raise ? 



Mr. Cheever. I always aim to have enough and some more 

 than will be wanted in summer, and then cure the surplus, 

 cutting it at the right time. There is a little advantage in 

 letting it get in full bloom when it is to be cut for winter use. 

 It dries quicker and cures faster. 



Mr. Myrick. Would you let rye blossom in full ? 



Mr. Cheever. I would never let rye blossom at all, neither 

 for curing nor green feeding. My own practice is to cut it 

 before it comes in bloom. If I should have some that una- 

 voidably stood too late on account of the weather, I would 

 feed it to horses or cattle, instead of cows that I was urging 

 for milk. 



Question. Do you apply the same rule to the cutting of 

 corn ? 



Mr. Cheever. No, sir. 



Question. I would like to inquire of Mr. Cheever if he has 

 ever tried sowing rye upon a pasture ? 



Mr. Cheever. I never have. I have only five acres of 

 pasture, which has never had anything done to it since the 

 farm was originally divided. It is simply used as play ground 

 and exercise ground for cattle ; they get what they can. My 

 pastures are rocky, and I cannot afford to plow them. Rye 



