32 Changes irhich take place in the Field 



lacerated cell-walls, induces fermentation, whicli, if not checked 

 at once, causes further loss. During the fermentation soluble 

 albumen and sugar are destroyed — two of the most valuable 

 elements of nutrition. In showery weather, grass recently cut 

 should, for this reason, not be turned over more than is abso- 

 lutely necessary, and under all circumstances it is desirable 

 to handle the crop as lightly as possible, in order that it may 

 not get much bruised. That the loss in our hay crop, under 

 these circumstances, is at times great, scarcely admits of a doubt, 

 and it is to be regretted that there are no experiments on record 

 which exhibit in figures their exact amount. Instead of analytical 

 results I am able, however, to give a practical illustration from 

 the use of some clover hay which was made in very wet weather, 

 in some experiments tried upon sheep. With a view of ascer- 

 taining the practical feeding value of several articles of food, I 

 supplied weighed quantities of different foods to six pens of 

 Cotswold sheep, each containing four animals. To one of the 

 pens nothing but this clover-hay, cut into chaff, was given. 

 When first put up for experiment on the 9th November, the 

 four sheep weighed respectively : — 



lbs. 



No. 1 96 



„ 2 101 



„ 3 99^ 



„ 4 93 



Together .. .. 389^ 



During the first fortnight each sheep received 1 J lb. of clover- 

 hay chaff per day, and care was taken to provide also fresh 

 water. 



At the end of the fortnight the four sheep were put on the 

 weigh-bridge, and then weighed : 



lbs. 



No. 1 95 



» 2 100 



„ 3 98^ 



» 4 9U 



Togetlicr .. .. 385 



Finding that all four sheep had lost in weight I gave them, 

 during the next fortnight, 2 lb. each per day. On the 7th of 

 December they weighed : 



lbs. 



No. 1 94 



„ 2 101 



„ 3 98 



„ 4 88 



Together .. .. 381 



