A CUTTING MACHINE SAVES HAY. 149 



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

 a stiff, firm jelly is formed, which may be turned out 

 in masses. This mixture might well be tried in this 

 country. 



a. It is now becoming the practice here to use in- 

 dian meal for mixing with moistened cut stuff, and 

 there is great advantage in so doing; an advantage 

 in the readiness and relish with which the animal 

 takes its food, and also of course in the effect upon its 

 growth. 



A cutting machine saves much hay, enables the 

 farmer to consume a large portion of straw by mixing 

 with hay, and at the same time to promote the fatten- 

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

 eat and digest food already partially prepared for 

 their stomachs. I shall soon mention why it is that 

 every thing 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 when 

 allowed to stand till fully ripe. The same practice 

 is good with straw. We have already seen that the 

 grain is heavier and better in quality for early cut- 

 ting; and experience shows that the straw is not less 

 superior for feeding purposes. Some kinds, cut early 

 and carefully cured, are nearly equal to certain varie- 

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

 has been suffered to ripen and bleach till it is little 

 better than a mass of dry sticks. 



Indian cornstalks, when cut as above, and well 

 cured, make a most admirable fodder. They are then 

 sweet and nutritious in an eminent degree ; when cut 

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

 with much avidity, and eaten clean, butts and all. 

 Some farmers think that really good stalks are worth 

 about as much as the best hay. When we consider 

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