BALING HAY. 27 



pi'ifo of hay at Nomo. in Alaska, was 7 coiits por pouiid. oven when 

 doubh> compressed. 



Baled hay for export to Alaska, Hawaii, the Philippines, and 

 other trans-oceanic points is compressed h}' the process known as 

 "double compression." By means of powerful machines operated b}- 

 electricity or hydraulic power, the hay, obtained by looseninu- ordi- 

 nary l)aled hay, is compressed into square or cylindrical packages 

 smaller and more compact than the ordinary bale. The hydraulic 

 presses used for making- the so-called round bales are similar to those 

 used for making the cylindrical bales of cotton. The measurements 

 of the different types of double-compressed bales an^iboutas follows: 



Ordinary square bale, 15 l)y 18 by 38 inches; weight, 16U pounds. 



Square bale for Alaskan trade, 14 by 18 by 26 inches; w^eight, 100 

 pounds. 



Round bale, 2 feet in diameter, 24 inches long: weight, 145 pounds, 

 or 36 inches long, weight, 26(» pounds. 



The saving of space in transit may best be understood by comjjaring 

 the weight and cubic contents of baled and compressed hay. The 

 ordinary baled hay occupies 140 to 160 cubic feet pei- ton; the square 

 doul)le-compressed, 85 feet per ton; the round l)ales. 55 feet per ton. 



The hay used for this process is almost exclusiveh' timothy. The 

 firm of Lilly, Bogardus & Company, Seattle, Wash., from whom much 

 of the information concerning double-compressed bales was obtained, 

 states that the timothy from the Ellensburg district. Wash., is much 

 preferred on account of the fresh green color. A good quality is also 

 obtained from the Spokane and Canir d'Alene districts. On account of 

 the damp weather, timothy from west Washington is not so satisfac- 

 tory^ in appearance. There is some demand for clover hay in Alaska, 

 and much grain hay is shipped to Honolulu. There is also a small 

 but increasing demand for alfalfa hay for export. 



