The Grasses, Fresh and Cured. 183 



withered, the leaves will continue to draw water from the stems, 

 and in so doing rid them of moisture and hasten the drying grass 

 toward the condition of hay. In this fact we have an explana- 

 tion of one of the advantages obtained in curing grass in cocks or 

 bundles rather than by spreading it out thinly in the hot sun. 

 Hay which is cocked in the afternoon entraps much warm air, 

 and the mass remains in a condition favorable to the transpiration 

 of moisture during the night. The heat yielded by the plant in 

 carrying on its life functions, and the warm air entrapped by grass 

 gathered in the afternoon, should not be confused with that which 

 may develop in partially cured or damp hay through fermenta- 

 tion. When hay that has been cocked for a time is exposed to 

 the air in flakes, the moisture which has been diffused evenly 

 through the mass is yielded up rapidly and such material is soon 

 dried. While hay can be made without going through the sweat- 

 ing process in the cock, it is usually much better because of 

 having undergone such action. Hay put into the barn when it 

 is so dry that it will not pack well is not in first-class condition. 

 It should be mowed away with just that amount of moisture which 

 allows it to settle compactly when treaded down. 



264. Treatment of hay. Salt and lime scattered over hay when 

 it is put into the mow tend to prevent fermentation and check the 

 growth of molds and mildews. Salt renders hay more palatable. 

 These materials are not essentials in hay making, but are helpful 

 when partially cured hay is being stored during bad weather. 

 Damp hay may be improved by placing it in alternate layers with 

 dry straw 5 the straw absorbs moisture from the hay and so 

 improves in quality. It also imbibes some of its aroma, so that 

 cattle will more readily eat both straw and hay. 



Hay from the second- growth grasses or aftermath is rich in 

 nutrients, but it comes at a time when the ground is often damp, 

 the days short and the sun's heat weak. This unfortunate com- 

 bination renders the curing of aftermath into hay difficult and 

 the product usually of less value than first-crop hay. Cured under 

 favorable conditions, aftermath hay is an excellent article for 

 winter feeding. 



New-made hay is laxative, and should not be fed to work 

 horses or driving horses, since their flesh becomes soft through its 



