MARKET CLASSES OF HAY 279 



ume of a mow can usually be figured quite readily, but it is 

 much more difficult to estimate the contents of a stack. Nu- 

 merous rules^ have been proposed, but none of them is very 

 accurate, while they all involve considerable figuring. 

 The number of cubic feet in a ton of hay varies so greatly 

 with the kind of hay, the length of time it has stood in the 

 stack, and the height of the stack, that it is very difficult 

 to get a rule which will fit all conditions. As a usual thing, 

 the rules are more favorable to the buyer than to the seller, 

 as they underestimate rather than overestimate the number 

 of tons in the stack or mow. The most satisfactory method 

 of selling hay, wherever possible, is by weight. 



357. Market Classes of Hay. The standard hay on all 

 markets is timothy. Other grades depend largely on the 

 price of timothy hay and the quantity of the different grades 

 which are available. The rules for grading timothy hay 

 adopted by the National Hay Association are as follows: 



Choice timothy hay. — Shall be timothy not mixed with over one 

 twentieth other grasses, properly cured, bright natural color, sound, 

 and well-baled. 



No. 1 timothy hay. — Shall be timothy with not more than one 

 eighth mixed with clover or other tame grasses, properly cured; good 

 color, sound, and well-baled. 



No. 2 timothy hay.—^hoW be timothy not good enough for No. 1, 

 not over one fourth mixed with clover or other tame grasses, fair color, 

 sound, and well-baled. 



No. 3 timothy /zay.— Shall include all hay not good enough for 

 other grades, sound, and well-baled. 



No-grade /zay.— Shall include all hay badly cured, stained, threshed 

 or in any way unsound. 



Other grades of hay recognized by the National Hay 

 Association include light. No. 1 and No. 2 clover mixed 

 hay; No. 1 and No. 2 clover hay; choice. No. 1, No. 2, and 

 No. 3 prairie hay; No. 1 and No. 2 midland hay; and choice, 

 No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3 alfalfa hay; as well as several grades 

 which include hay of very low quality. 



iFor methods of determining the contents of hay in mows, ricks, and stacks 

 see Agricultural Arithmetic by Shutts and Weir. 



