THE ARTIFICIAL CURING OP ALFALFA HAY. 31 



ning to permit longer time in the kiln, will give .additional increase 

 in capacity. 



It is proposed to further test the present kiln when supplemented 

 by a new GO-horsepower water-tube boiler, two automatic stokers 

 (with fans and other accessories), one 60-horsepower turbine engine, 

 and one alfalfa meal mill and sacker. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



When the saving made in interest on the investment in land, barns, 

 and tools, by assuring the regular output of crops, regardless of 

 weather, and also the increased nutritive value of the hay produced 

 by artificial means are considered, it would seem that the following 

 conclusions can be safely drawn: 



(1) Artificial curing is not adapted to supersede sun or field curing 

 in sections where ideal haying weather conditions prevail, but it will 

 enable the grower, especially in the South, to so cure his entire crop 

 that it will all grade as " Choice " and thus command the highest 

 market price. 



(2) Artificial curing may profitably supplement field curing. The 

 hay may be allowed to become partly cured in the field if the weather 

 is favorable. A kiln will cure about twice as much hay containing 

 40 per cent of moisture as it will when working on unwilted hay. 



(3) The cost per ton of curing hay artificially is found to decrease 

 with increasing capacity and efficiency of the plant. The items of 

 cost are (1) interest on investment, (2) repairs of machinery, 

 (3) labor, and (4) fuel. The fuel cost is by far the largest item. 



(4) Artificial curing effects an immense saving in the leaves and 

 smaller stems which comprise so large a percentage of the best part 

 of the hay product largely lost by field curing. 



(5) The process for the present must be confined to large growers, 

 or to smaller growers operating on a community basis. 



(6) The drying plant may be expected to pay for itself in four 

 years under adverse conditions and in a single season under favorable 

 conditions. 



[(Mr. 116] 



o 



