109 



as it may be, will undoubtedly be more than sufficient for the 

 wants of the season thus fortunately shortened 



The importance and value of the hay-crop induces us to en- 

 ter into a consideration of the various modes of cutting and 

 curing it. The best grasses known to us are undoubtedly herds- 

 grass and red top. Clover serves as a good introduction to 

 better grasses, on land just laid down — nothing more. There 

 are heavy clay lands in some parts of the county, where red 

 top never appears, or at any rate, never reaches maturity, even 

 if the seed be carefully sown. On the lighter lands it consti- 

 tutes one of the most useful and beautiful of our grass crops. 

 Herds-grass, or timothy, is however the recognized leading 

 grass ; that grass which yields the largest burthen of good 

 hay on well-cultivated lands, and furnishes, when well-cured, 

 the best fodder for our cattle and horses. 



It is very important, therefore, that we should ascertain, so 

 far as may be, the best time for cutting and the best mode of 

 curing this valuable grass ; so that it may furnish the feeder 

 with the largest amount of nourishment for his animals. We 

 are not now considering the kind of hay which will make the 

 most milk, or is best adapted to calves, colts, and young stock 

 generally, or will* be the permanent food of sheep. We desire 

 to learn if possible, that condition of herds-grass hay, which 

 will supply the largest amount of those elements which make 

 animal fibre, fat, bones, and muscle. 



We do not think that hay which, when cured, bears a resem- 

 blance to " rowen," will do this. We have no doubt that ani- 

 mals fed on hay of this description will thrive well, when lav- 

 ishly fed upon it. We have no doubt that cattle fed on such 

 hay have a larger reserved capacity for consuming corn and 

 other grain, than when fed on hay of a maturer quality. The 

 capacity of cattle for consuming " rowen " seems to be unlim- • 

 ited. And it is generally understood that it is not a profitable 

 or an economical kind of hay to feed ; and that it requires a 

 liberal additional supply of grain when it is used in the pro- 

 cess of stall fcedinac* 



