THE TIME TO CUT HAY 293 



and Southwest. The principal hay crop grown in these 

 states is alfalfa, and several cuttings are made each year. 

 The mean acre yield of hay for the ten years from 1902 to 

 1911 in Arizona was 3.11 tons, in Utah 2.93 tons, and in 

 Idaho 2.92 tons. In the states of largest total production 

 the mean annual yield ranges from 1% to \Y^ tons to the 

 acre. The same range is quite general in the South. Much 

 larger yields are produced when special care is given to the 

 hay crop. 



The mean acre value of hay for the ten years from 1902 to 

 1911 was higher in Arizona than in any other state, $38.87, 

 or about $12.50 a ton. The lowest acre value was that of 

 South Dakota, $6.29. The acre value in New York was 

 $15.64 and in Iowa, $10. The difference between these two 

 states was due entirely to the higher price per ton in New 

 York, as the acre yield is less than that of Iowa. 



364. Time to Cut. For the best quality of hay, the crop 

 should be cut when the plants are in bloom. The grasses 

 usually increase in weight and in total feeding value up to 

 the time the seed begins to ripen, but they decrease in 

 palatability and digestibility after the blooming stage is 

 past. Probably the largest quantity of digestible food 

 material can be obtained from hay made up largely of the 

 grasses if they are not cut until about the time they go out 

 of bloom. On the other hand, the clovers and alfalfa must 

 be cut somewhat earlier, or many of the leaves will be lost 

 in curing and the feeding value will be considerably decreased. 

 When red clover and timothy are grown together, the clover 

 comes into bloom some days earlier than the timothy, and 

 it is necessary to cut the crop when the clover is rather mature 

 and before the timothy has reached its best state. Other- 

 wise, the decrease in value of the clover will more than equal 

 any gain there may be from the timothy. Where the 



