180 FIELD AND GARDEN PRODUCTS 



greater part of its leaves and consists mostly of stems is often found 

 in the market; consequently, it is only about half as valuable for 

 feeding purposes as when the greater percentage of the leaves is 

 saved. 



The Colorado Agricultural Experiment Station found that when 

 alfalfa hay was exposed in the field for fifteen days, during which 

 time it was subjected to three rains, amounting to 1.76 inches, the 

 damaged hay contained but 11 per cent of protein, as compared with 

 18.7 per cent originally. 



In an experiment to determine the loss due to rain, part of a 

 field of grass hay was left in the cock and part in the swath during 

 a rainy spell of eighteen days' duration. At the end of this time the 

 hay in the swath lost 38.8 per cent of its digestible protein, while 

 that in the cock lost only 19.8 per cent. The total nutrients lost in 

 the swath were twice as great as those lost in the cock. This experi- 

 ment shows that the value of hay cured during unfavorable weather 

 depends a great deal upon the manner or system used in curing 

 hay. Such things as these are of the utmost importance to the 

 feeder. So far as it is possible to determine from an examination 

 of the hay, the price paid should depend on its value for feeding 

 purposes. If this were so it would stimulate the producer to make 

 every effort to cure his hay so as to get the best quality. If he re- 

 ceived more for the better grades it w 7 ould tend to discourage the 

 production of low-grade hay. 



Aroma of Hay. Although there is no way of determining 

 aroma, this quality of hay adds greatly to its feeding value, or rather 

 its palatability. There are growers who have made quite a reputa- 

 tion on account of the aroma of their hay, and for this reason it out- 

 sells that of their neighbors every year. There is a good reason why 

 hay should not lie too long in the swath. When it lies too long in 

 the sunlight the bleaching which takes place indicates that chemical 

 changes are going on, and these are not of advantage to the hay. 

 Hay that is cured with the least possible exposure to the sun and to 

 dew and rain will have the best aroma. 



Grassy and Weedy Hay. One of the greatest causes of low- 

 grade hay is the presence therein of fine grasses and weeds of various 

 kinds. The rule for determining choice hay is that it must not con- 

 tain over 5 per cent of other tame and cultivated grasses properly 

 cured, should have a bright natural color, and should also be sound 

 and well baled. It may happen that good timothy hay will contain 

 quite a large percentage of other grasses and still not have its feed- 

 ing value low r ered in the least, although according to the rules for 

 grading it will not grade as choice. 



If the other grasses ripen at exactly the same time as timothy 

 and are properly cured, then the feeding value is not lowered. How- 

 ever, it is very seldom that the grasses which so frequently occur in 

 timothy are cut at the proper time. They are usually past maturity 

 when the timothy is ready to cut, and hence are of but little value 

 for feed. They make the hay appear "off color" and greatly lessen 

 its palatability. In such cases the inspector is perfectly justified in 



