TIMOTHY 137 



The total amount each of digestible protein, nitrogen- 

 free extract, crude fiber and ash is greatest at time of 

 full bloom ; of ether extract when the seed is in the dough. 



The digestibility of the hay is greatest in the youngest 

 stages and gradually decreases in the later cuttings. This 

 is also true of the protein and the crude fiber, but is less 

 marked in the nitrogen-free extract. 



Yearling steers fed only on timothy showed a marked 

 preference to the hays cut at the younger stages, eating 

 the first three cuttings before they would touch the others. 

 Other cattle fed liberally on grain and silage did not show 

 a decided preference, as was also the case with well-fed 

 sheep. 



Timothy cut young is more difficult to cure and more 

 easily damaged by weather. 



At the time when timothy is in full bloom, other farm 

 operations, especially the cultivation of corn, are impera- 

 tive. 



Early cutting is thought to weaken the bulbs and to 

 lessen the next year's crop. 



Morse at the New Hampshire Experiment Station 

 studied timothy cut every five days from June 4 to July 3L 

 The conclusions were as follows : 



"Timothy grass grows very rapidly until the blossoms appear. 

 Its fastest growth is between the appearance of the head and the 

 beginning of the bloom. 



"The amount of grass per acre increases until the time of 

 blossoming. It then decreases. The decrease is due to loss of 

 water. 



"Dry substance steadily increases until the plant forms seed. 



"The young grass is richest in fat and protein. The mature 

 grass is richest in carbohydrates or fiber and nitrogen-free extract. 



"Timothy yields the largest amount of digestible protein when 

 cut at the beginning of bloom. 



