14 



The cost of cutting and stack'ng the hay from considerable areas 

 of marsh and of diawiig the same a few miles to the barn nsutdly 

 amounts to from $4.00 to $").00 per acre. The value of the salt 

 grass standing is placed at $1.00 per acie. 



B. Names akd Condition of Hays Tested. 



I. Black grass. This hay w;is in fair condition. It was rather 

 damp and smelt mouldy. The animals ate their daily rations, but 

 did not seem to relifeh it. The juice of this grass tasted very bitter. 

 AVhether this is true of black grass in general, or only at a certain 

 stage of its growth, is not known. 



II. Fox grass, or high marsh hay. This hay was in excellent 

 condition. 



in. Branch grass, or low marsh hay. This was in poor condi- 

 tion, being ver}' dam}), with a musty smell. Considerable difficulty 

 was experienced in inducing the animals to eat the required quantity. 



The above three varieties Avere secured witli the help of Mr. J. Q. 

 Evans of Amesbnry, who devoted cousideiable time to the matter. 

 Mr. Evans slates that while the season was poor for s-ecuriug the salt 

 hays in the l)est condition, he was not av\are that the branch grass 

 was in as bad condition as represented. 



Three other lots were sent by Mr. John Bursley, who secured them 

 from the "great marshes" of Barnstable Co. 



IV. Hed top variety. This was a variety of ordinary red top, 

 {agrostis vulgaris) and was not strictly speaking, a salt hay. It 

 grew in what are termed cove meadows, which lie close b}' the salt 

 marshes. A stream of fresh water usually flows through them, and 

 they are overflowed with salt water at high runs of tide. Cousidei- 

 able sedge (^Eleocharis Eugelnianui) was scattered through this ha}'. 

 In ap|)earance it was the most desirable lot of hay received. It was 

 however rather overripe, woody and lacking in flavor, so that the 

 animals had no particular liking for it. 



V. Cove mixture. A mixture of the red top above described and 

 black grass, in good condition. 



VI. Salt hay mixture. This was a mixture of J branch grass, fox 

 grass and flat sage, bright and in good condition. 



VII. Flat sage. This was received later through the kindness of 

 Mr. Lysandir H. Richards of Marshlield Hills. It was analyzed and 

 ■digestion tests weie made. 



