186 Feeds and Feeding. 



The prudent stockman, recognizing these habits of groArth, -with 

 alternate abundance and scarcity in food supply, realizes that he 

 must not rely entirely upon blue-grass pasture for a uniform sup- 

 ply of nutriment for his cattle throughout the whole season. He 

 stocks the pastures lightly in spring so that the overplus herbage 

 of May and June may remain to be drawn upon during the dor- 

 mant period of midsummer, or, stocking his pastures more heav- 

 ily, he anticipates the midsummer shortage by providing a liberal 

 supply of silage, green clover, green com, or other forage crops. 

 Knowing the characteristics of his pastures and acting upon this 

 knowledge, his stock suffers little or no loss from the usual mid- 

 summer shortage, but grows steadily throughout the season. 



Kentucky blue grass is primarily a pasture grass and should 

 always be regarded as such. The small yield of hay from this 

 grass is of fair quality both as to protein and carbohydrates, while 

 it is quite rich in ether extract. 



268. Timothy or herd's grass. — This common hay plant of the 

 Northeastern states is successfully grown as far west as Nebraska, 

 and Sanborn reports large yields at the Utah Sta,tion. * Analysis 

 shows that timothy hay varies in composition, especially in pro- 

 tein, according to the soil on which it is grown and the amount 

 and character of the fertilizers used. Soils enriched by manure 

 yield hay carrying more protein than is found in that produced 

 on lands of low fertility. With its stiff, woody stems and few 

 leaves the timothy plant cures rapidly into hay. Its character- 

 istic appearance, which easily distinguishes it from the hay of 

 other species, adds to its commercial value. Timothy seeds are 

 large and easily recognized, arid as they are produced in abim- 

 dance and hold their vitality well, they aid this grass in holding 

 favor with the farmer. Timothy hay is usually free from dust, ; 

 is clean and rarely attacked by molds. It is relished by horses 

 which secure most of their nourishment from oats or other grain. 

 All these qualities combine to render hay from the timothy plant 

 a favorite with both grower and buyer. 



While timothy meets quite fully the demands of city condi- 

 tions, it should not occupy an important place on well-managed 



1 Kept. 1892. 



