208 THE HARVEST. 



of stock, and at such a time and in such a manner as to 

 preserve its juiciness and leave it as much like the green 

 grass of the pasture as possible. 



726. If it is to be fed to cows in milk, and the farmer 

 wishes to get the greatest quantity of milk, grass should 

 be cut just before coming into blossom. It is then most 

 juicy, and will therefore produce a greater flow of milk 

 than if allowed to stand longer. If the object is to secure 

 the best quality of milk, with less regard to quantity, it 

 may be cut in the blossom. 



727. For feeding to store cattle, the grasses may be cut 

 when in full blossom ; for horses at work and for fattening 

 cattle, it is better just after it has passed out of Mi 1 

 blossom, or when the seed is said to be in the milk. 



728. Grasses attain their full development at the time 

 of flowering, and then contain the largest quantity of 

 soluble materials, such as starch, gum, and sugar ; these, 

 with the nitrogenous compounds which are also most 

 abundant at this time, are of the highest value for 

 supplying nutriment to animals. 



729. After flowering, and as the seed forms and 

 ripens, the starch, sugar, &c., are gradually changed 

 into woody fibre, which is nearly insoluble and imiutri- 

 tious. 



730. This fact is well established, and shows that 

 grasses in general should not be allowed to stand after 

 the time of flowering. There is, indeed, a great deal 

 of nourishment in the ripe seed ; but not enough to 

 make up for the loss in the stalk and leaves, if the 

 mowing is put off till the seed is ripe. Grasses fully ripe 

 will make hay little better than straw. 



731. Grass is cut cither by hand with the common 

 scythe, or by lliu mowing machine, (Fig. 3G.) With the 



