112 Horses and Horsemastership. 



HAY. — As with corn, so with hay, cleanness is one> 

 of the first points to consider. Tlie greater the variety 

 both of grasses and herbage of which the hay is made 

 the better. 



Tlie best hay is that known as upland hay, and 

 possesses a peculiar fragrance which the perfume makers- 

 have endeavoured with some success to reproduce. If' 

 you chew a little the taste is agreeable. In appearance 

 it should be fresh and of a distinctly green, modified 

 with yellow, colour. This latter, however, greatly 

 depends upon the manner in w^hich the hay was saved. 

 It is prima facie evidence of the hay being good if it 

 contains plenty of well-preserved buttercups and clover 

 flowers. In average years hay should be saved about 

 mid- July, when the grasses are in full flower ; many 

 farmers, however, prefer not to mow before the grasses- 

 are starting to seed. 



Bad and inferior hay may contain dust and weeds, 

 have practically no smell, and a disagreeable, pungent 

 taste. 



A truss of old hay weighs 56 lbs., and a load con- 

 sists of 36 trusses or 18 cwt. New hay is not good to 

 feed before October. 



STRAW. — Wheat straw is better for bedding than 

 oat straw, because horses are not so likely to eat it. A 

 truss weighs 36 lbs. There are 36 trusses to the load, 

 or 11 cwt. 2 qrs. 8 lbs. 



