26 FOE AGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



during which time 1.76 inches of rain fell in three showers, 

 with a sample cut at the same time and immediately 

 dried in an oven. The former contained but 11.01 per 

 cent of protein against 18.71 per cent for the latter. 



Corn stover exposed two months to weather at the Wis- 

 consin Experiment Station lost from 12.76 per cent to 

 22.83 per cent of the total dry matter and 59.6 per cent 

 to 71.55 per cent of the total protein. At the Colorado 

 Experiment Station, corn stover spread on the ground 

 in small shocks and in large shocks lost, respectively, 

 55, 43 and 31 per cent of the dry matter. In these cases, 

 however, the loss is partly due to fermentation and to 

 molds. 



Westgate sprinkled perfectly cured crimson clover hay 

 with water to imitate rain for one hour each on three 

 successive days. On analysis it was found in com- 

 parison with a sample unsprinkled to have lost about 

 three-fourths of its sugar, one-ninth of its protein and 

 three-fourths of its ash constituents. 



Kellner in Germany analyzed two lots of alfalfa hay, 

 one very carefully dried, the other exposed during drying 

 to one heavy thunder storm and one light shower. The 

 latter was poorer than the former in protein 2.1 per cent ; 

 in fiber, 2.2 per cent ; in carbohydrate, .4 per cent and in 

 fat, .5 per cent. 



21. Special devices to facilitate hay curing. Where 

 weather injury is frequently experienced in curing hay, 

 certain devices are often used that are helpful. 



Most common perhaps is the perch, which in its simplest 

 form is a stake about six feet long with cross arms two 

 to three feet long. This is driven into the ground and 

 the green or half-dried plants are hung upon it so as to 

 make a tall, slender cock. Perches are much used in 



