CURING UNDER CAPS 151 



handling. Half of the feeding value may be lost through 

 weathering and improper handling. 



Curing under Caps. A much better quality of hay 

 will be secured if the crop is cured under hay caps than in 



Fig. 84. Alfalfa under hay caps. 



open cocks or windrows, as dew and sunshine hurt alfalfa 

 hay. Caps can be made from light cotton duck. The 

 edges of the cloth should be hemmed to prevent raveling 

 and eyelets should be made in the corners, in which strings 

 may be tied and attached to weights. Heavy wires eighteen 

 inches long and looped at one end to receive the strings 

 attached to the caps make a convenient arrangement to 

 hold the caps in place. These wire pegs can be either run 

 into the ground or bent in the form of hooks and pushed 

 into the sides of the cocks. 



Much of the feeding value is lost through stacking, as 

 the hay is porous and rain penetrates the stacks two or 

 three feet. However, little of the alfalfa is lost when stored 

 under cover. An outside mow with roof does fairly well, 

 or a covering of marsh hay or a tarpaulin will prevent 

 damage to the alfalfa in the stack. It is well to let the 



