HAY. 177 



more advisable to use that of the previous season, 

 if procurable, and good ; but if not good, then it is 

 better to use that of a later crop, should it be 

 superior. Nothing is more harmful to horses, and 

 nothing more wasteful, than bad hay. 



It may be asked, ' But how is good hay distin- 

 guished from bad ?' 



I would strongly advise the reader, if he has the 

 opportunity, to enlist the services of some friend or 

 person who is competent to instruct him, and get 

 him to show him, by a visit to the nearest hay- 

 market, how to discriminate between the two. It 

 is a very simple thing to learn, and an hour or two 

 thus spent will teach him sooner and better than / 

 can hope to do by means of my pen alone. Never- 

 theless, I will endeavour to explain as simply and 

 clearly as I can, and if my explanation should not 

 prove sufficient, it will at all events be a little 

 knowledge, and not ' a dangerous thing,' for a little 

 knowledge of the subject is better than none at all. 



1. Hay should be of a good colour, as nearly as 

 possible of the colour it was when first stacked ; 

 and this colour should be general all through the 

 rick. 



2. It should have a good mixture of grasses in 

 it, and be free from thistles and any coarser growths. 



3. There should be a fair sprinkling of flowers 



12 



