FORAGE CROPS, MEADOWS AND PASTURES I287 



2) The results at Chico, Cal., indicate that even baled hay responds 

 noticeabh' to changes in atmospheric humidity, and that hay dealers are 

 justified in taking into account the shrinkage of their hay when fixing 

 prices. 



3) The results secured at Xew London, Ohio, with loose timothy mdi- 

 cate a shrinkage of 8.6 per cent, in one lot and 15. 6 percent in another lot, 

 when the hay was stored in a barn for about three months. The effect 

 of a week of rainy weather was indicated by an increase of weight in the 

 loose hay. 



977 - Investigations into Factors affecting the Handling of Wheat Hay, including 



a Study of its Digestibility. — Perkins Arthur I., Phillips J. H., Spafford W. I. 

 and May W. S., in Department of Agriculture of South Australia, Bulletin .V° 82, 

 pp. 1-38, 33 tables -I- 3 fig. Adelaide, 1914. 



From the investigations, which were conducted during the years 191 1- 

 1913, the writers have drawn the following general conclusions : 



The yield. of a crop of wheat cut down for hay will vary considerably 

 according to the stage of development to which the crop has attained. 

 The combined results of the two seasons' experiments show that the ave- 

 rage increase in yield above that of a crop cut in the full bloom stage to be. 



::o.3i per cent, in the case of hay cut 6 days after full bloom 



24.02 » » » 13 » ' 



36.04 " » " 21 1) » 



32.62 » » » 28 » » 



21.90 » ' ' 33 » » 



14.24 " ' " 42* » 



It follows, therefore, that maximum yields will be secured from cuts 

 taken about three weeks after full bloom, at a time when the grain is just 

 about to leave the milky stage. In this connection it should be recollect- 

 ed that these three weeks have reference to an early wheat grown itnder con- 

 ditions of climate such that there elapses a period of six weeks between full 

 bloom and the ripeness of the grain. In a general waj' it is perhaps better 

 to state that maximum hay yields may be expected from cuts taken when 

 the grain is about to leave the milky stage and enter upon the dough 

 stage. In the three weeks that follow full bloom time, total increase in hay 

 yield is distributed between ears on the one hand, and culms, and flag on 

 the other, but in uneven proportion, the ears increasing in weight at a 

 far more accelerated ratio than the culms and flag. The following figures 

 will serve to indicate the nature of the increases gained respectively by 

 ears on the one hand, and by culms and flag on the other, over and above 

 their original weight at full bloom. 



Ears. Culms & Flap;. 



At full bloom time 100.00 100.00 



Six days after 137.77 118.28 



Thirteen days after 153.10 119.98 



Twenty-one days after, 246.75 120.48 



Twenty-eight days after 3-2 1.05 106.70 



Thirty-five days after 337. 00 92.54 



Forty-two days affp-- (grain ripe). . . 340.40 83.33 



* Grain ripe. 



