THE BEST QUALITY OF HAY. 349 



amount regulated to the wants of the animal. Hay, corn 

 blades, and straw are the articles used as the bulky por- 

 tions of the food, and the different kinds of grain as the 

 nutritious. It would be impossible to get a horse in order 

 if restricted to either class. The hay would not afford 

 nourishment sufficient, while the grain alone would not 

 keep up the tone of the stomach, and indigestion would 

 quickly follow. In my opinion, the best hay is good bright 

 Timothy, cut at the proper time, and cured in a perfect 

 manner. It is better for being two years old, as, when it 

 has become thoroughly seasoned, there seems to be a 

 change that renders it easier of chymification. It does 

 not ferment in the stomach, and is, in every particular, 

 better for the purpose. The hay cut from old meadows 

 is superior to that from those recently laid down, unless 

 the farmer has used a great deal more seed than a majority 

 of agriculturists deem necessary. New meadows, where 

 the soil is rich, and from twelve to sixteen quarts of seed 

 sown to the acre, will grow better hay than old meadows 

 that have become poor from long cropping. 



To determine good hay by observation is a very nec- 

 essary knowledge on the part of the horse owner and 

 trainer. It should be free from dirt or discoloration, the 

 stalks fine, with plenty of leaves on them. When handled, 

 a fragrant aroma should arise, and on examining the 

 heads, the seeds should adhere to the husks that cover 

 them. There is a stage in the growth of this grass when 

 the dust or pollen of the flowers will rise in a cloud, when 

 a puff of wind blows over the field. This is at the time of 

 the first blossoming, and if the grass is cut at this stage, 

 or before, the hay will be bad and dusty. This fine, al- 

 most impalpable powder, will be very injurious, though 

 extremely difficult to detect. The seed is the best guide, 

 and in this case the ear will have a shriveled appearance, 

 the seed scarcely formed. The heads or ears should be 



