MEADOWS AND PASTURES 33 
dinarily. The second and third crops come on evenly, 
so that all the grass is practically at the same stage 
when cut; but the first crop is liable to be very irreg- 
ular, and much of it will therefore have to be cut be- 
fore it heads out in order to avoid ripe seed in the more 
advanced plants. The time to cut this grass is when 
the earliest portions of the field begin to bloom. Wild 
oats should also be cut while in bloom. In the case of 
timothy and most common grasses we are not bothered 
with weedy character, and can therefore give our whole 
attention to the quality and yield of hay. 
Horses prefer timothy cut when the seed is well 
formed but not fully ripe. As this class of stock is 
unfavorably affeted by laxative feeds, late cut tim- 
othy is also preferred for them on account of its favor- 
able effect on the digestive tract. In the case of cattle, 
laxative feed is rather to be preferred. Cattle also 
telish timothy better when it is cut rather green. 
Hence, for cattle, timothy should be cut about the 
time it isin blossom. Any time from a day or two 
before the ‘‘ first bloom’’ till a day or two after the 
“second bloom ’”’ will answer. (For the meaning of 
first and second bloom, see Chapter VI.) The yield 
will be slightly larger at the later stage. 
Orchard-grass loses its palatability very rapidly 
after blooming, and should always be cut within a day 
or two after the blooming period is past. Brome-grass, 
which is becoming an important grass in this country, 
retains its palatability until the seed is dead ripe. 
Even the straw from which the ripe seed has been 
threshed is eaten readily by both cattle and horses. It 
therefore has a considerable season during which it 
