178 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



in it, and the colour of these flowers, the yellow 

 ones especially, should be fresh, and but little 

 different from what they were when growing. 



4. It should be sweet and fragrant, and be 

 absolutely free from any sour or acrid smell. 



5. It should be soft and silky in texture, and 

 fairly long. 



6. It should not be too brittle or dusty. 



Such is the description of what perfect upland 

 hay should be, and where such is obtainable a 

 good price should not be grudged for it ; and if it is 

 possible to buy a rick of it at a time, it will be 

 money well spent, as any overplus will always 

 command a good price. 



Coarser hay than that described above is better 

 adapted for food, if well saved, than a finer quality 

 which is yellow or sour. 



Hay which has been too quickly stacked, or 

 which has been put up wet, is certain to become 

 what is termed ' mow-burnt.' A rick of such hay 

 will, when cut, appear of a very brown colour, and 

 will probably be here and there blotched with very 

 dark, almost black, seams running through the rick 

 in various places, showing how intense the heat 

 must have been, and how very nearly the rick has 

 been on fire through its becoming over-heated. 

 Hay from such ricks always has an over-sweet — 



