136 FORAGE PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



122. Time to cut for hay. The usual time recom- 

 mended for cutting timothy hay is shortly after the anthers 

 have fallen and not later than when the seed is in the dough 

 stage. 



The problem of the best time to cut timothy for hay is a 

 many-sided one, and has been attacked from several stand- 

 points. The stage at which the grass is cut will affect : 



1. The total yield. 



2. The palatability. 



3. The digestibility. 



4. The ease of curing. 



5. The convenience of harvesting. 



6. The amount of the next season's crop. 



The most extensive studies on this problem have been 

 those of Waters and Schweitzer at the Missouri Experi- 

 ment Station, who conducted their investigations during 

 twelve seasons. In these investigations the timothy was 

 cut at five stages; namely, coming into blossom, full 

 bloom, seed formed, seed in dough and seed ripe. Their 

 findings may be thus summarized : 



The total yield of dry matter is on the average greatest 

 in the hay at the time the seed is just formed. This was 

 the case three seasons out of four, the yield being greatest 

 at full bloom the second season. 



The total amount each of protein, ether extract and 

 ash per acre was greatest in the hay cut at full bloom ; 

 of nitrogen-free extract when the seed was in the dough 

 stage ; of crude fiber when the seed was. just formed. 



The loss of dry matter and perhaps of other substances 

 as the plants approach maturity is due partly to the storage 

 of material by the bulbs, partly to loss of leaves by drying 

 and breaking off, especially the lower ones, and partly 

 by the solvent action of rain. 



