162 SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



which, although rich in protein, is coarse stemmed 

 and lacks aroma, so that it usually requires to be 

 mixed with some good hay before animals will take 

 any quantity of it. 



Good hay ought to be made from tender, leafy 

 plants, chiefly the sweet grasses and clovers cut at 

 the commencement of flowering, and should possess 

 a pleasant smell and be free from mud and dust. 



The hay from the aftermath is also to be reckoned 

 amongst the good varieties, if harvested in favour- 

 able weather, but it is usually below good meadow 

 hay as regards palatableness and aroma. Often 

 at the time of harvesting the aftermath cool, rainy 

 weather is prevalent, so that it suffers more than 

 the first crop on account of the large quantities of 

 soluble substances it contains, and which are washed 

 out. 



2. Seed grasses, such as rye grass, timothy, 

 cock's foot, along with clover, give according to 

 their age a fodder which is usually less palatable, 

 but as nourishing as meadow hay of the same age. 

 The same applies to cereals such as rye, wheat, oats, 

 or barley, which are sometimes used as fodder. 



3. Green maize in comparison with other fodder 

 plants is fairly rich in water and poor in protein, 

 but owing to the large amount of sugar (4-6%) 

 which it contains, it is readily consumed. As young 

 green maize contains up to 90% of water and in 

 addition grows quickly, it is advisable not to cut it 



