ANIMAL GROWTH AND NUTRITION. 233 



grievous; for instance, in regard to early-cut hay. But I 

 have not time to trace the matter out in all of its relations, 

 and will simply say, in relation to the time of cutting our 

 grasses, that experiments at our farm leads me to deny the 

 correctness, in most particulars, of prevailing views In regard 

 to the proper time to cut hay or fodder crops. 



When two sets of steers or cows have been changed from 

 straw, corn-fodder, and clover, and lot 1 fed with hay cut 

 in bloom, and lot 2 fed with hay cut fifteen days after 

 full bloom, or when seed is well formed, those fed upon 

 either lot will consume like amounts, and the latter make 

 the better use of their food. Now, when I change from early 

 to late cut hay, those thus changed will eat less than for- 

 merly ; or, noting a case in point, from forty-three pounds 

 of hay cut in bloom, thirty-two to thirty-five only were eaten 

 when fed on hay cut subsequent to bloom, or little more 

 than maintenance-fodder. This decreased amount eaten 

 does not remain permanently so, but will remain less than 

 forty-three pounds for perhaps three weeks. Not under- 

 standing the reason why, farmers, from noticing the effect of 

 the decreased consumption, have drawn the unfortunate con- 

 clusion, that late-cut hay is deteriorated hay. This is a mis- 

 take, unless cut later than the formation of seed. These 

 latter facts have not been introduced to discuss the broad 

 question of changes in maturing crops, but to give a fact in 

 opposition to the policy so frequently and tenaciously urged. 



The instance given, which might be multiplied by those 

 of like tenor, shows that the change from a palatable to an 

 unpalatable food is followed by decreased consumption, the 

 effect of which may extend over much time. The policy of 

 change of foods to give appetite, etc., is all right, so long as 

 one can change from an unpalatable to a palatable food, but 

 not otherwise, as it will have to come about in a round of 

 changes. 



In making changes, there will come periods when animals 

 will gain little or none ; yet it is just now favorite advice to 

 change food. By thus doing, the appetites of stock are kept 

 unsettled. 



MANURE-VALUE OF FOODS. 



We cannot divorce the question of the manure-value of 

 foods from feeding-problems. The central motive of the 



