32 FARM GRASSES OF THE UNITED STATES 
when driven to do so from hunger. It is that which 
is eaten over and above a maintenance ration which is 
of real value both for work and for animal products. 
Is it not better to cut hay at the stage when it will be 
most readily eaten, and then balance up the ration by 
a judicious combination of feeds of different composi- 
tions? ‘The writer believes this to be the case, and 
what is said below is based largely on the assumption 
that the best stage at which any grass should be cut is 
determined largely by palatability and yield. 
There is yet another factor which is really more 
important than the variations in chemical composition, 
and that is the effect on the digestive organs. Grasses 
cut very green are laxative in character, while those 
cut ripe tend to produce constipation, and this is some- 
times the determining factor in cutting hay. In prac- 
tice, therefore, the faGtors which determine the stage 
at which a grass should be cut for hay are yield, pal- 
atability, and effect on the bowels. In particular in- 
stances considerations which are ordinarily minor ones 
become important. In the case of Johnson grass and 
wild oats, for instance, both of which are vile weeds, 
yet excellent hay when cut at the proper stage, it is of 
the utmost importance to cut the hay before any seeds 
are mature enough to germinate. In this case all 
other considerations vanish. If the weather or the 
pressure of other work never interfered with haymak- 
ing, these two plants would undoubtedly be highly 
valued and standard crops, for they could then be cut 
at a stage which would prevent them from scattering 
by seed. Johnson grass presents another peculiarity 
of some importance. It yields three crops a year or- 
