SEEDING DOWN — FEEDING. 495 



the same time. Many farmers prefer to have their timothy 

 grass stand until nearly ripe before cutting, claiming that they 

 get a larger yield, which I grant, but at a great sacrifice in 

 quality. I hear many intelligent farmers remark that they can 

 not winter their steers on timothy hay alone, for the reason they 

 become so constipated, and their hair becomes so staring that 

 they are compelled to give them grain. I believe the cause of 

 the constipation is found in the fact that in maturing the seed the 

 whole of the saccharine juices are extracted from the stem, 

 leaving little but woody fiber, added to which is the loss of 

 nearly the whole of the seed, which usually happens from the 

 frequent handling. By this method you have an innutritions 

 mass, just a little superior to wheat straw. 



My method of making hay is to cut as above described, as 

 nearly as may be ; and when fairly wilted, if possible on 

 the evening of the day on which it is cut, I have it raked 

 and put into moderately-sized cocks, and there it remains for 

 several days to cure, before I stack or house it. With such 

 hay, I dare undertake to winter any kind of stock without fear 

 of constipation, or any very serious deterioration of flesh, and 

 without the aid of grain, unless, perhaps, in the case of calves 

 or young colts. 



FEEDING. 



My method of disposing of our crops is to feed everything 

 raised on the farm excepting wheat, and occasionally excepting 

 rye, when it happens to bring a price at which we can substi- 

 tute oats or corn with a profit. 



HORSES. 



I keep a variety of stock, and am doing a considerable 

 business in horses. I breed Clydesdales which are my prefer- 

 ence, being better adapted to all purposes of farm and road 

 than any other single breed of horses in this country. They 

 have better action, and more substantial feet and legs. 



CATTLE. 



I play the part of feeder rather than a breeder of cattle. 

 I usually feed a small number each Winter, and sometimes feed 



