392 



THE AGE OF HAY. 



" aftermath " (/. e., second cro})), and the flowers of the 

 grasses should have retained their color. 



CHARACTERISTICS OF INFERIOR HAY. 



PRESENCE OF 



Coarse stalks, 

 Prolific leafage, 

 Very dark green, 

 or a brown tint, 

 Strong aroma. 

 Bitter flavor, 

 Seeds, 

 Weeds, 

 Dust, 



VARIETIES OF HERBAGE. 



False oat. 



Field broom. Sweet meadow grass. 



Tufted hair grass, Soft meadow grass. 



Squirrel tail, 

 Rattle. 

 Black sedge. 

 Wood rush, 

 Cat's ear, 

 Colt's foot, 



Rough stalked meadow grass. 



Slender foxtail. 

 Yorkshire fog. 

 Sweet-reed grass. 



THE AGE. 



New hay should not be used, as a horse fed upon it 

 "scours," loses in condition and consequently cannot stand 

 hard work. Hay cut in July can be used in November, but 

 it is better if a year old. Hay that has been cut over two 

 years should not be used, and none but the best quality can 

 be economically employed as fodder for horses required to 

 do fast work. The use of inferior, mouldy, mow-burnt or 

 dirty hay is marked by a loss of condition, spirits and hack- 

 ing coughs, a forerunner of broken wind. 



" Hay is most in perfection when it is about a twelvemonth old. The 

 horse perhaps would prefer it earlier, but it is neither as wholesome nor 

 so nutritive, and often has a purgative quality. When it is about a year old it 

 retains, or should retain, somewhat of its green color, its agreeable smell and 

 its pleasant taste." — William Yoicatt, " The Horse,'' p. ijj. 



" Some will fancy hay cannot be too old ; this is quite erroneous, for 

 however good hay may be, age will take away its nutritious qualities." — 

 Charles Btindley, " The Pocket and the Stud;' p. ii6. 



" New hay, as is well known, has a tendency to cause scouring ; but in 



