188 FEEDING CATTLE. 



former number, that it is a good plan to mix np hay of 

 different kinds, either at the time of stowing into the 

 barn or at the time of feeding ont. We do not find 

 that our cows winter better on pure Enghsh hay than 

 they do when fed a part of the time on that of a 

 coarser quahty. When kept through on the best of 

 Enghsh hay, the food is so rich that cows become 

 tired of it at the time when they need the most care ; 

 and it has often been noted that, when kept on hay of 

 a poorer quality through the coldest weather, and then 

 fed on good hay in the spring, they relish it better, 

 and fatten their calves better, than when kept wholly 

 on rich food. 



But we often have hay too poor for cows ; and, if 

 we have no young stock, what shall we do with this ? 

 If some of the best hay should be thoroughly mixed 

 np with this, it would sweeten the whole. Most peo- 

 ple are extremely careful to keep the good hay separate 

 from the poor ; but, if it is all to be foddered out, 

 what harm arises from the mixture ? We have often 

 mixed good hay with that of a poorer quality in the 

 winter season. By letting both lie together over night, 

 the poorer sort becomes, in some degree, impregnated 

 with the flavor of the good, and the cattle will discover 

 the improvement. If you doubt this, try an experi- 

 ment. Set a plate of rich pound cake into a cupboard 

 or chest with a lump of butter, and let them remain in 

 the same apartment one night. You will find at break- 

 fast what company your butter has had. It is power- 

 fully impregnated with the flavor of the cake. 



But a better time for mixing hay is when we stow 

 it aAvay in summer. If we have a supply of old 

 meadow, or of straw, we can mix it with our new- 

 mown clover, and the whole will be leavened. In such 

 case we need not dry our clover so long by some hours, 

 and this is often a great saving of labor and of leaves 

 of the clover. 



In a future number we shall say something on cook- 

 ing food for brutes. 



