394 CHAFF AND THE PURCHASE OF HAY. 



general, waste or reject much that it would be good for them to eat." 

 F. Fitzwygram, " Horses and Stables" p. 46. 



CHAFF. 



When hay, straw or grass is chopped into short lengths 

 it is termed chaff. In this country straw and grass are 

 seldom thus treated for consumption in the private stable, 

 and hence chaff is generally understood to mean cut hay. 

 By some owners hay in this form is greatly favored, as there 

 is less waste, and when mixed with the grain prevents the 

 horse from bolting his food. On the other hand there is 

 always a large amount of dirt and inferior grasses which the 

 horse cannot reject when the hay is given in the form of 

 chaff, and the labor required in cutting the hay more than 

 offsets the amount wasted by the horse trampling a part of 

 it under foot. If the chaff is bought the quality of the 

 hay is invariably inferior, and the mixture usually comprises 

 a very large percentage of dust, dirt and seeds. 



"Chopped hay has been highly recommended, but except a little 

 for the purpose of mixing with the corn of greedy feeders, the author can- 

 not see any advantage in its use." F. Fitzwygram, "Horses and Stables" 

 p. 46. 



THE PURCHASE OF HAY. 



Many are the tricks resorted to by dishonest dealers and 

 stable servants, the former endeavoring to make the disparity 

 between the price charged and the actual weight and quality 

 as great as opportunity permits ; the latter, the servants, by 

 unfair treatment or the doctoring of certain samples of hay, 

 direct, for personal reasons, the owner's patronage into the 

 hands of a certain dealer. Therefore, in purchasing hay, it 

 is advisable for an owner to determine whether the quality is 

 up to the standard and to satisfy himself that the actual and 



