92 DISEASES OF ANIMALS. 



horses and other stock. Some have worked on it for 

 months, without grain. In such cases, it is the better 

 for having age and substance. [See Food for Cattle.] 



Small Gkains and othePw Plants. The small grains, 

 while the straw is green, or while they are growdng, and 

 fed off like grass, are excellent food for horses. IMillet, in 

 the green slate, is good horse feed. Besides the things 

 we have named, there are hundreds of plants, far too 

 numerous to mention, indigenous and exotic, cultivated 

 and spontaneous, that are nutritious and palatable food 

 for horses, cattle and sheep. 



DRY HERBAGE. 



Hay is the principal dry fodder used in this country 

 for horses and other stock ; and although a few varieties, 

 such as herds-grass, red-top and clover, are the principal 

 Snds used, yet owing to soil, their growth, the time of 

 cutting, the weather for saving, the manner of curing, 

 and the condition in which they are saved, there is a vast 

 difference in the quality of hay. While some kinds are 

 worth $20 per ton, others are not worth $5, and some lots 

 are fit only for manure. 



Herds-grass, (Timoth}^,) with a little red-top and clo- 

 ver, makes a very substantial fodder for animals that are 

 at hard labor ; but for milch, growing, or idle animals, 

 clover, well cured, is a superior article. To make it 

 without wasting the leaves, put it into tumbles when 

 partially dry. This will cause the moisture to spread 

 from the stalk to the dry portions ; then open and dry 

 again. If not well made when got in, put it with straw^ 

 old hay, or coarse vines or herbage, in alternate layers. 

 These will save it, and become sweefby contact. 



Quality of Hoy. Hay is of various qualities, as we 

 have named. Some is cut too early, and is flashy and 

 too physical for laboring animals. Some stands loo long 

 in the field, and becomes lifeless. It sometimes lodges, 

 and is poor when cut. In bad weather, or by neglect, it 

 is exposed to rains or dews, and much injured. The hot 

 sun, after it is pretty well made, destroys its sv\ cetness 

 and fine fragrance. Hay is often put into the barn m 

 too green or damp state, and mow-burns, and becomes 



