FOODS ANIMAL PRODUCTION. 881 



to start it. The fermentation of the hay causes a temperature of 50° C. 

 At this temperature a second and more violent oxidation takes place, 

 and the temperature rises to about 90°. Other processes then take 

 place which cliar the material and cause a slow rise of temperature to 

 130°. When this temperature is reached the hay rapidly heats and the 

 charring takes place rapidly. All these processes destroy at least half 

 of the material present. Theoretically, the temperature may rise to 

 190°. 



According to the tests made, clover hay will become ignited at 150- 

 200°. Therefore, the temperature may rise sufficiently high to cause 

 spontaneous combustion. Oxygen from the air is essential to combus- 

 tion. Spontaneous combustion is indicated by the hay becoming darker 

 in color until it is finally black, by a sooty odor, and by smoke irritating 

 to the eyes. The ash of the burned hay has a characteristic grayish- 

 white appearance and feels like sand. The burned hay is surrounded 

 by a layer of charred but not burned material, which is a poor con- 

 ductor of heat. 



Live stock, A. Mackay (Canada Expt. Farms Bpt. 1897, pp. 398- 

 400). — A brief statement is made concerning the cattle, swine, and 

 poultry kept during the year at the experimental farms for the North- 

 west Territories, and a feeding test to compare wheat chaff, cut oat 

 sheaves, and cut brome grass is reported. The test was made with 2 

 lots of 4 steers each and one lot made up of 3 steers and 1 cow. Lot 1 

 was fed wheat chaff, lot 2 cut oat sheaves, and lot 3 cut brome hay. 

 In addition all the animals were given 2 lbs. of silage to each pound of 

 dry fodder and C lbs. of ground barley and wheat (2:1) per head daily. 

 The test covered 4 months. During the last 2 months the grain ration 

 was increased to 8 lbs. per head daily. Lot 1 made a total gain of 

 1,025 lbs., lot 2 of 910 lbs., and lot 3 of 1,015 lbs. The profits are 

 briefly discussed. 



Experiments in feeding steers, S. A. Bedford (Canada Expt. 

 Farms Bpt. 1897, pp. 328-330).— Statistics are given of the condition of 

 the college herd and a test of the comparative value of hay and oat 

 sheaves made with 2 lots of 4 steers each is briefly reported. Lot 1 

 was fed ad libitum a ration consisting of 18 lbs. of native hay (Elymus 

 virginicus), 30 lbs. cut turnips, 5 lbs. chopped barley, and 2 lbs. of 

 chopped oats. Lot 2 was fed ad libitum a ration consisting of 18 lbs. 

 cut oat sheaves, with the same amount of turnips, barley, and oats. 

 The test covered 93 days. The financial statement is based on native 

 hay and oat sheaves at $5 per ton, turnips at 5 cts. a bushel, chopped 

 barley and oats at £ ct. per pound each. The steers in lot 1 made a 

 daily average gain of 1 lb. 8 oz. and lot 2, 1 lb. 5 oz. The profit on lot 

 1 was $55.42 and on lot 2, $50.37. 



"From the above it would appear that the cultivated native hay is worth rather 

 more per ton than oat sheaves for fattening purposes. 



"The yield of hay from this grass varies greatly from year to year, depending on 



