72 ESSEX SOCIETY. 



produced only on land that is in a high state of cultivation, 

 and on that to much extent, only in favorable seasons. 



There is still another question which should be considered, 

 which is, the kind of feed which has the best effect on the an- 

 imal. If a certain kind of food will produce the same quantity 

 of milk, and also tend, to some extent, to fatten the animal, it 

 increases the value of that kind of food. Every thing consid- 

 ered, I know of nothing so good for food for milch cows in the 

 latter part of summer and autumn as green corn stalks. 



It is desirable, however, that further experiments may be 

 tried, not only in summer and autumn, but winter feeding also, 

 whether roots are the most profitable, and if so, what kind ? if 

 meal, what kind, and how used ? whether in cut feed, or other- 

 wise. 



Another experiment has been tried by Daniel Merrill, 2d., of 

 Methuen. The result, as he informed me, was in favor of the 

 corn. The hay used was tolerably good, but not of superior 

 quality. I believe the prevailing opinion in our vicmity, among 

 those that have cultivated corn the most extensively, is in ac- 

 cordance with my own, and as I have stated. 



Another subject on which the society has offered a liberal 

 premium, is to ascertain the most suitable time for cutting 

 hay. It would be rather difficult for a person to try an experi- 

 ment which would be satisfactory to himself, much more to 

 make a statement that would be satisfactory to others. There 

 is so much difference in grass, that it is difficult to make a rule 

 that will apply in all cases. 



Heavy grass should be cut earlier than light. I think that 

 herds grass, that is, a heavy burden and coarse, if it is to be fed 

 to horses, should be cut when it is full in the blossom ; if it is 

 designed for cattle, especially for milch cows, it should be cut 

 somewhat earlier. If it stands until out of the blossom, and 

 the seed nearly full, it is hard ; it has not that sweet smell, and 

 if the cattle could speak, I think they would say, it has not 

 that sweet taste that it has when cut early. I think the hay 

 will be as heavy if cut when full in the blossom, as when it 

 stands later. If the grass is fine, with a mixture of red top or 

 fine clover, it will do to stand a little longer. Clover also, I 



