SOME POINTS IN HAYMAKING. 139 



ledge is rather uncertain) are often quite the reverse 

 of constant in their manner of appearance and dis- 

 appearance, and show themselves to be more affected 

 by environment than any other constituent is. The 

 averages show that the best grasses contain the least 

 non-albuminoids. The usual changes in the non- 

 albuminoids seem to point to the possibility that they 

 increase at the time of the formation of the seed in the 

 act of transferring to the seeds, as amides, the nitrogen 

 of the plant. 



III. 

 Some Points in Haymaking.* 



Hay is not simply the dxied stems and leaves of 

 grasses and clovers, or, in other words, there is more 

 than mere drying required in making hay. 



The first point is to cut the grasses and clovers, 

 which are to form the hay, at the proper time, so as 

 to have the largest quantity of food. This time is 

 immediately after flowering, when the pollen has been 

 shed, and before the seed has begun to ripen. "When 

 a plant has shed its pollen and ceased to flower, it 

 has reached its full growth, and it then contains the 

 maximum amount of feeding in it. No further sus- 

 tenance is derived from the soil to any appreciable 

 extent, but the fertilised ovules begin to swell and 

 mature into ripe seeds. The material which forms 



* Condensed from Treatise by Professor M'Connell, F.H.AS., 

 R.A.S.E. 



