78 Experiment Station Report. 



carefully secured marsh hay in many instances, as far as 

 composition is concerned, compares favorably with a large 

 proportion of hay from "inland" meadows. There is 

 scarcely another fodder crop on record of which the feeding 

 value depends so much on a judicious management of the 

 farmer as in the case of hay. 



The lirst requirement for an intelligent examination con- 

 cerning the comparative value of a fodder plant, or part of a 

 plant, consists in securing specimens of a corresponding 

 stage of growth. Adding to this a due consideration of the 

 various circumstances under which the plants under examina- 

 tion are raised, results are attainable which may claim a 

 general interest. 



I take the liberty of suggesting, in this connection, to com- 

 municate rather with the officer in charge of the Station, be- 

 fore sending material of a similar character, and of asking 

 an investigation of a subject of similar importance. The 

 best interest of the farmers and of the Station will be served 

 by adopting that course. 



The fact that our opinion regarding the actual and relative 

 feeding value of many of our fodder crops is still largely 

 based on mere chance analyses, instead of on a systematic 

 inquiry regarding our chances of securing the best results, 

 is one of the principal impediments of arriving at a more 

 settled opinion regarding a more rational management of 

 feedinsT our farm live stock. 



