MARKET GRADES OF HAY 299 



engine may be substituted. A bale of hay is ordinarily 

 about 16 by 18 by 40 inches, though both smaller and larger 

 bales are made. The bale is bound with wire. Baling is 

 not generally done until some weeks or months after the 

 hay crop is harvested, usually during the winter when there 

 is little other farm work. 



370. Measuring Hay. As has previously been stated, 

 a ton of hay occupies from 350 to 500 cubic feet. The volume 

 of a mow can usually be figured quite readily, but it is much 

 more difficult to estimate the contents of a stack. Numer- 

 ous rules have been proposed, but none of them are very 

 accurate, while all of them involve considerable figuring. 

 The number of cubic feet in a ton of hay varies so greatly 

 with the kind of hay, the length of time it has stood in the 

 stack, and the height of the stack, that it is very difficult 

 to get a rule which will fit all conditions. As a usual thing, 

 the rules are more favorable to the buyer than the seller, 

 as they underestimate rather than overestimate the number 

 of tons in the stack or mow. The most satisfactory method 

 of selling hay, wherever possible, is" by weight. 



371. Market Classes of Hay. The standard hay on all 

 markets is timothy. Other grades depend largely on the 

 price of timothy hay and the quantity of the different grades 

 which are available. The rules for grading timothy hay 

 adopted by the National Hay Association are as follows: 



Choice timothy hay. Shall be timothy not mixed with over one- 

 twentieth other grasses, properly cured, bright natural color, sound, 

 and well baled. 



No. 1 timothy hay. Shall be timothy with not more than one- 

 eighth mixed with clover or other tame grasses, properly cured; good 

 color, sound, and well baled. 



No. 2 timothy hay. Shall be timothy not good enough for No. 1, 

 not over one-fourth mixed with clover or other tame grasses, fair color 

 sound, and well baled. 



