58 PRINCIPLES OF FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



The largest amount of digestible matter was obtained at the 

 time of the second cutting in these trials, when the growing crop 

 was about one-third in bloom. Jt is generally recommended to cut 

 alfalfa at this stage of growth, or when between one-tenth to one- 

 third of the plants are in bloom. It will be found, on examination, 

 that new shoots are coming up from the crown of the roots at this 

 time. The cutting should not be delayed until these are sufficiently 

 high to be injured, as the yield* of the next crop would be greatly 

 reduced thereby. The exact time to begin cutting alfalfa will 

 naturally vary somewhat according to the area to be cut, the 

 weather, and other conditions. The difficulty of making a good 

 quality of hay from alfalfa that is past bloom, and the large losses 

 of leaves in this case, render it important not to delay the cutting 

 beyond the time stated above. 



Digestion experiments with different cuttings of alfalfa con- 

 ducted >at the Utah and Wyoming stations have shown that there are 

 only slight differences! in the digestibility of the different crops 

 of alfalfa cut at about the same stage of growth, as is ordinarily 

 done. Late-cut alfalfa makes a more valuable hay for feeding to 

 horses than to other farm animals, but its high fiber content and 

 the relatively low protein content render it of lower value as a feed 

 for cattle and sheep than alfalfa cut at beginning of bloom. 



Hay Crops. — The changes in the chemical composition of the 

 hay crops during the growing season, in so far as they have been 

 studied, appear to be similar to those of alfalfa, and show that 

 these increase in fiber as the plants grow older, and that the nitro- 

 gen-free extract changes but little, with the other components de- 

 creasing to a considerable extent. 8 On the other hand, Indian corn, 

 like all grain crops as well as roots and tubers, so far as is known, 

 yields the highest amount of feed materials at maturity. 



While the best time of cutting hay will vary somewhat according 

 to the use for which it is intended, we note that early-cut hay has, 

 in general, a higher feeding value, ton for ton, than late-cut hay; 

 it is better, therefore, to cut too early than to delay the cutting 

 until past bloom. Practical experience has also shown that the 

 best time for cutting hay is, in general, shortly before bloom or 

 during the early bloom. When the hay is intended for horses or 

 fattening cattle, later cutting may be practised, since these animals 

 relish late-cut hay and are fed hay more for the filling and less 



8 Fraps, " Principles of Agricultural Chemistry," p. 381. See also Mo. 

 Res. Bui. 20, Studies of the Timothy Plant. 



