HAY MAKING 21 



Under unfavorable weather conditions the losses sustained from the 

 sun-curing method are still greater — leaching, loss of leaves, etc., and de- 

 composition. The extent of the loss sustained under these conditions is 

 shown by the investigations of Emmerling and others. Hay lying exposed 

 to the action of the elements for ten days and receiving 47 mm. (approxi- 

 mately 2 inches) of rain and another lot, exposed for 20 days and receiv- 

 ing 93 mm, (approximately 4 inches) of rain, showed losses as follows, as 

 compared with hay harvested under the most favorable weather condi- 

 tions : 



Duration of Dry Crude Crude Nitrogen-free Crude Mineral 



exposure matter protein fat extract fiber matter 



Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent 



10 days 13.5 9.9 49.5 16.3 2.5 12.8 



20 days 46.1 45.9 72.9 46.6 27.7 48.6 



Exposure to rain also affects the digestibility of the nutrients in the hay. 

 According to Behrend the percentage of protein that is digested in hay is 

 as follows : 



Per cent. 



Properly cured hay 55.9 



Rain-soaked hay 46.0 



Hay exposed to rain to the point of spoiling 40.4 



These losses are considerably less in air-cured hay. According to Falke 

 these losses in sun-cured hay (ordinary weather) amounted to 23 per cent, 

 in bad weather 50 per cent, while it was only 18 per cent in air-cured hay 

 under the same conditions. 



To get the best results, no more grass should be cut at a time than can 

 be taken care of and harvested in the course of one or two days, irrespec- 

 tive of weather conditions. 



Sun curing is suitable for grasses under favorable weather conditions, 

 but not for clovers, on account of the loss of leaflets, buds, blossoms, etc., 

 when handled in a dry and brittle condition. Qovers, to obtain most 

 profitable results, should be air cured, which is recommended also for all 

 other green forages. 



Hay should be thoroughly dry before being stored in barns or sheds. 

 Hay stored in a damp condition will become heated and even charred or 

 will actually ignite. 



b. Artificial Drying 



A number of watery feedstuffs, in order that they may be preserved 

 without loss of valuable nutrients, are subjected to artificial desiccation 

 (potatoes, sugar beets, distillery wastes, pulps, brewers' grains, beet pulp, 

 etc.) 



Desiccation has the further advantage of reducing bulk and weight and 

 consequently transportation expense. The apparatus and technique em- 

 ployed are quite variable. 



