FOODS AND FEEDING. 115 



of its original weight. It is excellent and palatable feeding, though, 

 owing to its brittleness and consequent dustiness, it is liable to be 

 somewhat wasteful, and is also very prone to be affected by mould. 



Oat hay is extensively grown in Australia and South Africa, being Oat hay. 

 known in the latter country as "forage." For its production the crop is 

 cut half ripe, whilst the grain is still in milk ; and either long or chaffed, 

 it makes most excellent fodder, being especially a good board ship 

 ration wherever it can be procured. 



Liicertie hay is rarely made in England, but in Western and Southern Lucerne 

 America, where it is called " Alfalfa," it is extensively produced and is hay. 

 very highly regarded both as a horse and general stock food. In this 

 country it is said to be wasteful owing to its extreme brittleness and 

 dustiness. 



Sainfoin hay is excellent when cut at a suitable age and well saved. Sainfoin 

 To the uninitiated its coarse woody appearance is deceptive, but although hay. 

 bulky and somewhat rough looking, it makes a very nutritious food, 

 eminently suitable for the larger, heavier classes of horses. . 



Ti)nothy hay. — A considerable quantity of hay composed entirely of Timothy 

 this grass is imported from Canada and America, where it grows in great ^^Y- 

 luxuriance ; the quality of the imported specimens varies considerably, Canadian, 

 but the best are excellent feed, though very dusty, and it is generally 

 advisable to damp it before issue. 



Algerian hay is occasionally imported during bad seasons, is of a fair Algerian 

 quality, and like all hay produced in warm, dry climates, is particularly hay. 

 well saved, the colours of the flowers being especially pronounced. It 

 contains a variety of grasses not seen in this country, and frequently a 

 large number of hard thorny seeds, which are rejected by horses. 



Pressed hay is prepared in bales varying from about 80 to 160 lbs. Pressed 

 each, and is particularly useful on service owing to its portability. Such hay or 

 bales as are prepared in the service are composed of the best quality baled hay. 

 only, but those purchased under contract require strict scrutiny. Even 

 when the greatest care is exercised and the best class of hay only used, 

 the result comes out very broken and dusty, and every care should be Is dusty 

 taken when the bales are being broken up to protect them from the wind, and 

 and damp the ration well before issue, or the wastage is likely to be must be 

 considerable. ^^'^P^^' 



Green Food. 



Besides the many plants already mentioned which may be used as 

 green food, the following are either grown for the purpose, or may be 

 used should occasion require. 



(b 10948) H 2 



