80 WORCESTER SOCIETY. 



Experiments with Cut and Uncut Hay. 



Having understood, in conversation with the Hon. George 

 Denny, of Westborough, that he had made some experiments in 

 relation to economy in using cut feed in the support of neat 

 stock, I requested him to communicate to me, in detail, those 

 experiments, that the public might have the benefit of them ; 

 and, in compliance with that request, he has kindly sent me the 

 annexed communication, which contains much valuable infor- 

 mation. It is to be regretted that experiments, conducted in so 

 systematic a manner, should not have been made under circum- 

 stances which should have produced a result which would have 

 been definite and conclusive. This result would have been 

 more satisfactory, had the experiment been made with two cows 

 at the same time, one with uncut, and the other with cut feed, 

 both occupying the same stable, and under the influence of the 

 same state of the atmosphere. It is well known, that the de- 

 gree of temperature has an important influence on the amount 

 of food consumed by a cow, and also the secretion of her milk. 

 It is very desirable that experiments should be made in such 

 manner as to settle the question definitely, not only whether 

 there is any economy in the cutting of hay, but also, the amount 

 of that saving, if any. A farmer of this county, entertaining 

 these views, has authorized me to offer a premium of ^30, for 

 the most satisfactory statement of a series of experiments for 

 the purpose of settling this question. The trial to be made with 

 at least two cows ; their condition to be as much alike as is prac- 

 ticable, particularly as regards age, time since calving, &c., and 

 the time of trial to be continued 28 days, divided into periods of 

 7 days each. One cow to be fed with cut, when the other has 

 uncut hay, and the food of each to be changed at the expiration 

 of 7 days, and so alternately each 7 days during the trial. The 

 statement to give a particular account of what is received by, 

 and returned from, each cow, during each period of 7 days ; the 

 account of the hay, (roots and meal, if given,) water, milk, 

 manure and temperature, to be taken in the manner stated by 

 Mr. Denny. The same kind of hay (what is usually called 



