A CUTTING MACHINE SAVES HAY. 149 



then mixing with cut straw and bay : when it cools, 

 a stili", firm jelly is formed, which may be turned out 

 in masses. This niivtun- luit'^ht wlII be tried in this 

 country. 



(Z. It is U'i\N iifi.uiii I hl; lin: jjitn.in^c in-i C to USC Ul" 



dian meal tor mixing with moistened cut stuff, aod 

 there i- advantage in so doing; an advantage 



in the ^^s and relish with which the animal 



takes its tood, and also of course in the elfect upon its 

 growth. 



A cutting machine saves much hay, enables the 

 farmer to consume a large portion of straw by mixing 

 with hay, an<l at the same lime to promote tbc fatten- 

 ing of his stock, by the greater ease with which they 

 eat an<l digest footl already partially prt;part*d for 

 tb> > hs. I shall soon mention why it is that 



e\* which saves labor to the fattening animal, 



promotes the increase of its bulk. Hay for such 

 purposes should be mown before quite matured, as, 

 for the reasons explained in a previous chapter, it 

 contains so much more gum, sugar, etc., than whea 

 allowed to stand till fully ripe. The same practice 

 is good with straw. We have ali - n that the 



grain is heavier and l)etter in «( ■■ early cut- 



ting; and ex])erienoe shows that the straw is not less 

 superior for feeding purposes. Some kinds, cut earlj ' 

 and carefully cure<l, are nearly equaJ to certain varie- 

 ties of hay, and even superior to most of that which 

 has been sutfered to ripen and bleach till it is littJe 

 better than a mass of dry sticks. 



Indian comxtalks, when cut as above, and well 

 cured, mak. ulmirable f«><lder. They are then 



sweet and n in an emitutit degree; when cut 



fine, and mixed with indian meal, are eaten by cattle 

 with much avidity, and eaten d. ••• ' "'ts and all. 

 Some farmers thinlt that really g« arc wortli 



about as much as the best ha v. W . ler 



13* 



