Table 4. 3-Year Mean Digestibility of Ingredients of Conimercial 

 Essex Varieties of Tiniothv. 



3. On a percentage basis, the net energy seemed to be the most 

 sentitive basis of comparison. 



4. The total decrease in net energy associated with the later 

 harvest date was greatest in timothy plots receiving nitrogen at the 150 

 pound per acre rate. This may have been due to the more stemmy con- 

 dition of the hay. However, where severe lodging had occurred, the 

 growth was reduced. 



5. At Northwood, the Essex timothy had higher net energy value 

 than the Commercial timothy produced with the same rate of nitrogen 

 fertilization. This was undoubtedly due to the more advanced growth 

 of the Commercial timothy. 



Figure 2 shows the comparative effect of location, variety of timothy, 

 level of nitrogen fertilization and date of cutting had on the combined 

 yield of the first cutting and aftermath of each hay. The lower part of 



10 



