no 



The great object of the feeder should be to have his hay in 

 such condition, as to avoid an excessive amount of grain. The 

 hay that " spreads the best " is the most vahiable. A hundred 

 "Weight of hay which will produce as much fat with a bushel of 

 corn meal, as a hundred weight of hay of different quality 

 will with two bushels, is certainly the more profitable for the 

 farmer, whether he feeds his animals for labor or for fat. This 

 no one will deny. That hay, moreover, which shrinks the 

 least after cutting, and at the same time retains all its nutritive 

 qualities, is the most profitable and desirable, to all who would 

 make the most of their crops. 



AVe think there is a period in the growth of herds-grass, 

 when it reaches its maximum in this respect — when it contains 

 all the elements it is capable of supplying the animal which 

 consumes it. But this is not when it is half grown ; when 

 the head is half formed ; when it has no well organized fibre 

 to give it strength and consistency. It is not when it is in 

 blossom. For at both these periods it is deficient in starch, 

 and sugar, and gluten, the most important of its nutritive ele- 

 ments ; and it abounds with water. It is in fact immature, 

 and is in the condition of an unripe apple or potatoe, or any 

 other plant, or fruit, or root, which is half-grown, and half- 

 organized. 



We do not mean to contend that grass should be " ripe " 

 before it is cut ; for the change which takes place in the stalk 

 of all grasses which bear seeds or grain, when the seed be- 

 comes mature, and fit for reproduction, is such as to deprive 

 them of a large portion of their nutritive elements, and to 

 leave a large preponderance of woody indigestible matter, — 

 The plant has then reached a period when its decay begins, and 

 when its value consists very much in the seed which it has 

 borne. 



There is a period, however, when the seed is fully formed, 

 and is yet " in the milk " as it is termed, during which grasses 

 contain more nourishment, including that found in the stalk, 

 leaves, and seeds, than at any other. This is the time when 



