SIXTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VIII. 



811 



of value to the stockman. If this additional weight is composed of 

 material which is not so digestible it may be of little or no value for 

 feeding purposes. As a rule, plants increase in woody fiber as they ripen 

 and so decrease somewhat from the standpoint of digestibility. 



The following analyses made at the Connecticut Experiment Station 

 of timothy grass are of interest in this connection: 



Stagre of Growth. 



Well headed out 

 In full blossom .. 

 Out of blossom .. 

 Nearly ripe 



Nitrogen I 



Free 



Extract 



50 8 

 53.3 

 53 3 

 52.2 



Fat, 



1.9 

 2. 

 1.7 

 2. 



These analyses show very clearly that not only does the percent of 

 crude fiber increase with maturity but that the per cent of both protein 

 and ash decreases, while that of the soluble carbohydrates is hard ta 

 determine. That these changes influence the digestion of the hay i» 

 well illustrated by the American digestion experiments, which show the 

 average digestibility of the organic matter of timothy hay cut in bloom 

 or before bloom to be about 61.5 per cent, while that of the timothy cut 

 after bloom is 55.4 per cent. Using this as a basis of comparison, the 

 yield of digestive organic matter per acre would be in full bloom, 2,306 

 pounds, and when out of bloom or nearly ripe, 2,350 pounds. If we take- 

 into consideration the loss in palatability due to increased fiber and lack 

 of aroma, the advantage is clearly with the early cut hay. 



In case of clover hay the advantage is still more in favor of the early, 

 cutting. This is true not only of the amount of digestible- organic mat- 

 ter and the advantage from the standpoint of digestibility, but also in 

 total pounds of dry matter per acre. The following test, made by the 

 Pennsylvania State College with red clover, is of interest in this con- 

 nection, as showing the yield of dry matter per acre: 



Stage of growth. Pounds. 



In fun bloom 3,680 



Some heads dead 3,428 



Heads all dead 3,361 



This loss in dry matter is very likely due to the shedding of the 

 leaves in the curing of the hay. 



All points considered from the standpoint of the feeding value of 

 timotty and clover, the best results will usually be obtained when these 

 crops are cut in that period of growth designated as full bloom. If cut 

 at an earlier stage, difficulty will be experienced in curing and the yield 

 per acre of dry matter will not be so great. The only possible advan- 

 tage to be derived from earlier cutting is in the palatability of the hay. 

 If allowed to mature after the full bloom stage in the case of timothy, 

 a greater yield of dry matter per acre w'ill be secured, while the digesti- 

 bility and palatability of the hay will be reduced. In the case of clover 

 hay which is allowed to stand after the full bloom period of its growth 

 has been reached, it not only loses in digestibility and palatability, but 

 also in total dry matter per acre. 



