FORAGE CROPS, MEADOWS AND PASTURES I289 



reactions set up in the drying cells of the plants, the ultimate result of which 

 is the destruction of more or less organic matter. 



For wheaten hay, losses in this direction may attain to slightiy 

 over I ^ per cent, of the original green weight, and they are connected 

 chiefly with the breaking down of carbohydrates. 



Direct digestion experiments show that hay cut at full bloom is more 

 highly digestible than any hay cut at later periods, and that in general the 

 digestibility of wheaten hay decreases by regular steps as the period of com- 

 plete ripeness is approached. In this connection there is a difference of 

 over 12 per cent, between the digestibility of ha\'- cut at full bloom and that 

 of hay cut a week before the ripening of the grain. This superior digesti- 

 bility of wheaten hay cut at full bloom holds good all long the line, with 

 the exception, perhaps, of the doubtful case of the mineral matter. The 

 regular decline in the digestibility of hays cut at later periods is most marked 

 in the case of proteins and fibre. Carbohydrates are, on the whole, rathei 

 erratic in their beha\nour, and perhaps on the whole they may be considered 

 more or less stationary in their direct digestibility. The albumenoid ratio 

 (a ratio found to exist in any foodstuff between the digestible proteins on the 

 one hand, and the balance of the digestible non-nitrogenous organic matter 

 on the other) is narrower and more favourable in character in the earlier 

 cut hays than in those in more advanced stages of development. This arises 

 from the more highh^ digestible condition of the proteins in the less ma- 

 ture cuts of hay, and the overwhelming preponderance of carbohydrates 

 in the later cuts. 



It appears that there is nothing to be gained and much to be lost, 

 in deterring the cutting of wheaten ha> until the grain begins to enter upon 

 the dough stage. It involves, a= a rule, both a reduction in total yields 

 of hay and a reduction in quality represented by a reduced digestibility and 

 a wider albumenoid ratio. Assuming that hay -cutting operations can be 

 completed within a week to 10 days, these operations should be put in hand 

 not later thai: a fortnight after full bloom. 



These experiments amply confirm the value of the u.sual commercial 

 standard by which hay is judged, viz, colour. It may be taken for granted 

 that any hay that is not of good bright green colour is of inferior quality 

 for feeding purposes, although it might make excellent litter. 



978 - Paspalum spp., Forage Plant in Argentina. — Gaceta Rural, ixui Year, 



Xo. 107, pp. 6S5-6S). Buonos Aires, June ii»r6. 



The genus Paspalum of the family of Gramineae comprises more than 

 300 species scattered throughout the temperate, sub-tropical and tropical 

 regions of the entire world, one half being in America (100 in Brazil and 

 about 40 common to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay). In Argentina, from 

 the province of Jujuy to that of Buenos- Aires, several of the principal spe- 

 cies of Paspalum occur fairly widely, comprising those regarded as the sof- 

 test and best forage plants, for instance : P. dilatatum Poir., P. notatum 

 Fliigge, P. plicatulum Kuth (Mich.), P. uruguayense Arech., P. pumilum 

 Xees. All these species form excellent pasturage, particularly P. dila- 

 tatum sacchariferum (" granilla melosa " or "pasto iniel"), P. notatum and 



