172 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



plant usually has a bluish color, whence the common name "Blue- 

 stem," most frequently applied to it in the West. 



Yellow Foxtail (Chsetochloa glauca). This grass is widely dis- 

 tributed throughout the tropical and warmer temperate regions of 

 the world, growing as a weed in cultivated grounds. It is especially 

 common in the Southern States, where it continues to bloom 

 throughout the season, from June to October. 



HAY-MAKING AND HAY-MARKET. 



There is considerable confusion and misunderstanding regard- 

 ing the value of the different kinds and grades of market hay. The 

 producer many times does not know what the market requires in re- 

 gard to purity, or freedom from volunteer grasses, weed, etc., and 

 quality, which depends on methods of cutting, curing, and baling. 

 The average feeder often thinks that one kind of hay will answer all 

 feeding purposes and pays a very high price for this kind; conse- 

 quently, when other kinds which may be more valuable than the 

 standard market hay are sent to the market, they sell at a price 

 which is not very profitable to the producer. This is because the 

 feeder's idea concerning the feeding value of certain kinds of hay 

 is erroneous. As a result of these misunderstandings both feeder 

 and producer lose money. In order that all concerned in the hay 

 industry, namely, producer, shipper, receiver, and feeder, may each 

 receive his share of profit from the growing, handling, or feeding 

 of hay, it is necessary that they work together in harmony for their 

 mutual benefit. In order to do this and place the hay business on 

 a better foundation, the following points are important : 



(1) A better knowledge by the feeder of the feeding value of 

 the different kinds and grades of market hay would be of decided 

 advantage to both feeder and producer. The feeding value of any 

 kind of hay should depend primarily upon the purpose for which it 

 is fed. 



(2) Producers in general must realize that it is the feeder who 

 makes the price of hay, and in order to secure the most profit his 

 demands in regard to quality must be met regardless of the pro- 

 ducer's opinion. This difference of opinion may be illustrated by 

 the fact that in many sections timothy cut at the end of or even after 

 the blooming period is preferred for feeding on the farm, while the 

 city feeder prefers that which is cut nearer the beginning of the 

 blooming period, and will pay a higher price for this kind. 



(3) Growing hay for the market is profitable only when the 

 better grades are secured and when the loss of fertility is no greater 

 than it is in other systems of farming, such as live-stock and dairy 

 farming. 



(4) There are a number of bad practices on the producer's part 

 that not only lower the value of the product and thus lessen his 

 profits, but are a source of constant trouble in the disposal of the 

 hay. It is largely on account of such practices that buyers and com- 

 mission men have been led to seriously consider the problem of how 

 to prevent low-grade hay from going to market. The writer's in- 

 vestigations indicate that at present three-fourths of the low-grade 



