60 CHAPTER 5. 



November well-saved examples are sufficiently dried to render them in- 

 nocuous in this respect. In the Author's opinion new hay may be given 

 safely after that date to hunters which are not limited in their oats, 

 though he is quite aware that popular opinion is opposed to this view. 

 Hay of one year is desirable, though not essential, to hard condition. 

 After a year and a half, hay, he thinks, loses much of its nutritive quali- 

 ties. It becomes over-dry and, if the expression may be used, stale. 

 Well-saved samples may retain their perfume for two, or even three or 

 four years ; but, nevertheless, they have lost much of their feeding quali- 

 ties. Rose leaves and lavender kept in closed jars will retain their scent 

 for twenty years, although so dried up as to crumble to dust in the hand. 



1)8(7. Irhli liaij. 



It is the custom of Irish farmers to leave the hay out in the fields for 

 at least two months in cocks, until it is so thoroughly di'ied that it does 

 not afterwards heat. Much of the nutriment, however, is extracted out of 

 it, as we might expect, by the effect of the sun, wind, and rain dunDg 

 that long period. 



As the hay does not ferment, there is but little difficulty in distinguish- 

 ing old irom new. The state of the weeds generally pretty abundantly 

 found in it affords the best indication of its age. Great reliance may be 

 placed on the state of the Rib-grass (Flantago lanceolata), No. 28. For 

 the first month or so it remains almost green, for the next three months 

 it is brown, for the succeeding thi-ee it is black, but pretty flexible. After 

 this time it breaks and crumbles away with a little friction. The Black 

 or Hard-head, No. 29 (Centaurea nigra), a harsh, stubborn weed, retains 

 the moisture in its stalk for the first three months. After that period 

 the moisture will only be found in its knots and in the pods. After six 

 months the moisture has left the knots and remains only in the pods. 

 About March the sticky moisture, which has hitherto glued together the 

 seeds in their pod, has dried up, and the seeds are easily sepai'ated from 

 each other when the pod is opened. Another plant, known as the Silver- 

 weed or Goose-gi-ass {PotentiUa anserina), No. 34, affords excellent indi- 

 cations of the age of hay. It is easily recognised by its growing in 

 bunches. In new hay the under side of the leaf is white. An alteration 

 in colour gradually takes place, until at the end of nine months the under 

 side is quite black, and the leaf crumbles to pieces on friction. Coltsfoot, 

 No. 35 (Tussilago farfara), the under side of the leaf, which is at first 

 white, affords indications similar to those given by the silverweed. The 

 Thistle retains something of its green colour and is sappy till spring. 

 In old hay it will be found excessively sliriveUed, dry, and brittle. The 

 Dock retains its colour and sap for about four months, and after that 

 2)eriod gi-adually becomes dry, brittle, deep red, and eventually black. 



98i'. Pressed lunj. 



Pressing does not injure hay. But the purchaser must bear in mind 

 that frauds are very possible unless due care is taken. 



