no 



ANIMAL MANAGEMENT. 



Clover and The red clovers are much grown in conjunction with Rye grass and 

 rye grass, make the best class of hard hay provided it is first cut. A second cut of 

 Second j^yg gj-^ss and clover may be recognised by the generally small size of 

 cu c over. ^^^ growth of both grass and clover heads, by the predominance of the 



clover (in first cut, rye is most abundant) and by its soft feel and tangled 



appearance. 



Other piajits used as green food or in hay. 



Lucerne. " Lucerne," a tall green plant with a small purple flower, naturally a 



native of warm climates, but thriving in many localities in England. On 

 suitable soils and under irrigation it is practically perennial, grows most 

 luxuriously, and is especially useful as a green food owing to the many 

 cuttings which can be made from it. In America, where its culture has 

 received much attention, it bears the highest reputation both when used 

 in this manner and when made into hay, and though as hay it is found to 

 be extremely brittle and dusty, and in this country is considered wasteful, 

 its feeding properties can hardly be over-estimated. As it roots very 

 deeply on suitable soils it is most useful for dry localities, and is 

 cultivated with much care by horse-owners in India, where its value as a 



Altalia. green food is highly esteemed. In America it is known as "Alfalfa," its 

 Spanish name. 



Sainfoin. " Sainfoin," a large, fine leafed plant with pinkish flowers ; yields an 



excellent hay, which, in spite of the apparent coarseness of its stalks, is 

 much relished by animals and is very nutritious. There are two varieties. 

 " common " and " giant " or " double cut," the latter of which is more 

 productive, and yields twice a year, but is only biennial. In judging 

 sainfoin hay the extreme thickness of the stalks, provided they are not 

 tough, is not considered a drawback, and as it is easier to save than other 

 heavy crops it is generally in good condition. The best sainfoin hay is 

 cut before the plant comes into flower. 



Kidney " The Kidney vetch," found only in Hampshire, maybe met with in the 



vetch. hay of that county. It has been said that horses dislike it, but whether 



this is so is by no means certain, as many of them certainly consume it 

 with apparent relish. (See also Vetches, p. ii6.) 



Weeds. 



The following are a few of the weeds which may be found in hay, and 

 are those commonly met with : — 

 Coltsfoot. " Coltsfoot," specially prevalent on poor land, has a large, more or less 



rounded leaf, green on the upper and white on the under surface ; the 

 leaves only are found in hay, as its yellow flowers precede them. 



