32 FARM GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 



when driven to do so from hunger. It is that which 

 is eaten over and above a maintenance ration which is 

 of real value both for work and for animal products. 

 Is it not better to cut hay at the stage when it will be 

 most readily eaten, and then balance up the ration by 

 a judicious combination of feeds of different composi- 

 tions? The writer believes this to be the case, and 

 what is said below is based largely on the assumption 

 that the best stage at which any grass should be cut is 

 determined largely by palatability and yield. 



There is yet another factor which is really more 

 important than the variations in chemical composition, 

 and that is the effect on the digestive organs. Grasses 

 cut very green are laxative in character, while those 

 cut ripe tend to produce constipation, and this is some- 

 times the determining factor in cutting hay. In prac- 

 tice, therefore, the factors which determine the stage 

 at which a grass should be cut for hay are yield, pal- 

 atability, and effect on the bowels. In particular in- 

 stances considerations which are ordinarily minor ones 

 become important. In the case of Johnson grass and 

 wild oats, for instance, both of which are vile weeds, 

 yet excellent hay when cut at the proper stage, it is of 

 the utmost importance to cut the hay before any seeds 

 are mature enough to germinate. In this case all 

 other considerations vanish. If the weather or the 

 pressure of other work never interfered with haymak- 

 ing, these two plants would undoubtedly be highly 

 valued and standard crops, for they could then be cut 

 at a stage which would prevent them from scattering 

 by seed. Johnson grass presents another peculiarity 

 of some importance. It yields three crops a year or- 



