198 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



extent in the Pacific states, and to a less extent in the 

 South. In the former large yields of hay are obtained es- 

 pecially from the common vetch which is highly nutritious 

 and is much relished by stock. The feeding value is much 

 influenced by the stage of maturity at which it is cut. The 

 more grain the hay possesses and the more mature it is up 

 to the limit of not lessening the palatability of the plant, the 

 more valuable is it for fodder. 



By cattle, vetch hay is much relished. Grown thickly 

 and cut when the first pods have formed, it makes a most 

 excellent fodder for young calves. It is probably more val- 

 uable for older cattle when more mature. When fed to 

 beef cattle and also to dairy cattle, the most suitable vetch 

 hay is obtained when the grain is a little short of maturity. 

 Such hay is especially valuable for producing milk. Vetch 

 hay made from vetches and oats grown together is also al- 

 most equally good for producing milk. 



For sheep, it is admirably adapted. The growth is finer 

 than that of the pea, hence there is even less waste in feed- 

 ing vetch hay to sheep than in feeding pea hay. Vetch hay 

 cut at any stage between that of full bloom and the filling 

 of the pods makes admirable hay for sheep being carried 

 through the winter and especially for ewes nursing lambs. 

 Such hay will virtually suffice for nursing ewes without 

 other food, and when the hay is almost mature before it is 

 cut, sheep may be fattened by feeding vetch hay alone when 

 it can be spared for such a use. As with peas, exposure to 

 rain while being cured speedily reduces the feeding value. 



For swine, vetch hay pure and simple is virtually of lit- 

 tle value, except when cut not later than the stage of early 

 bloom. But when fed in the mature form, swine will, of 

 course, find food in the grain to the extent even of fattening 

 upon it, as when they are allowed to glean amid the mature 

 though unharvested crop. But this makes no use of the 

 vines for food, which would be a waste that in ordinary 

 feeding could not be defended. However, should the har- 

 vested crop be greatly injured by rain, it would be justifi- 



