GBOWTH OF ANIMALS ; ANIMAL FOOD. 147 



tMs class. By feeds are understood the more highly 

 concentrated materials ; the cereal grains, buckwheat, peas, 

 and the mill products belong to this class. Thus, fod- 

 ders may be classified as hay, straws, green fodders, roots, 

 and tubers; and feeds as grains, mill-feeds, and refuse 

 products. 



Hay. — Hay produced from the true grasses, as tim- 

 othy, orchard grass, herd's-grass, and others, is bulky, and 

 is characterized by a high content of carbohydrates, in- 

 cluding crude fibre, and a low content of crude fat and 

 crude protein; that made from the clovers, — red, alsike, 

 and crimson, — while also bulky, is much richer in protein 

 than the others. Hay is variable in its composition; its 

 quality depending upon the kind or variety, the character 

 of soil, the stage of growth at time of cutting, and the 

 method of curing. The chief influence of the kind of soil 

 is upon the content of crude protein ; the richer the soil, 

 the richer the hay is likely to be in this substance. 



Early or Late Cut Hay. — Early cut hay is also richer 

 in crude protein, and poorer in crude fibre, than late cut : 

 for, although an increase in the weight of dry matter may 

 occur, it is chiefly in the substance cellulose, or crude 

 fibre ; besides, a material loss of the more nutritious com- 

 pounds is likely to take place if it is allowed to ripen 

 thoroughly. 



The Best Time for Cutting Hay. — The best time for 

 cutting is when the plants are in blossom ; since little, if 

 any, food is absorbed from the soil after that period. Hay 

 that has been subjected to frequent rains, and consequent 

 increased handling, suffers great loss, which falls almost 

 entirely upon the most nutritious parts. This is particu- 



