200 Feeds and Feeding. 



tice, that clover hay apparently rich in protein may have little 

 value owing to the large quantity of crude fiber and the small 

 amount of nitrogen-free extract it contains. Contrary to the show- 

 ing made above, a large portion of protein is often removed from 

 hay when soaked by rain. (304) 



290. Spontaneous combustion. — It seems beyond question that 

 barns containing clover hay and stacks of the same are occasion- 

 ally consumed by fire originatuig through spontaneous combus- 

 tion. The subject though an old one is still involved in mystery. 

 Cohn, of Breslau, i considers that spontaneous combustion in hay 

 is produced through the action of a mould fung-us. 



Eeviewing the many experiences reported, ^ it seems that there 

 is danger from spontaneous combustion only in seasons when the 

 clover plant contains an unusual amount of moisture at haying 

 time, or when the hay material carries to stack or barn more or 

 less water foreign to it, i. «., rain or dew. 



291. Use of clover hay. — Clover hay is not usually considered a 

 satisfactory roughage for the horse, the dust it carries proving 

 very detrimental to that animal. A limited amount of good 

 clover hay may, however, be fed to horses of all kinds with favor- 

 able results. 



For the cow there is no better roughage than good clover hay. 

 It furnishes the large amount of protein and ash essential to millc, 

 and is palatable and much relished. With well- cured clover 

 hay forming one-half or two-thirds of the roughage of the ration, 

 the dairyman is able to cut down the allowance of concentrated 

 feed, thus reducing the cost of the ration. (653) For growing 

 calves and young stock clover hay is most important. If it is more 

 essential one place than another, probably the shepherd has first 

 claim to clover hay, for his animals of all degrees will not give 

 as favorable returns from any other form of roughage. 



For soiling purposes clover holds an important place, since the 

 crop is available early in the season and is highly relished by 

 cattle. The writer secured a yield of clover used for soiling pur- 

 poses of 27,000 pounds per acre in three cuttings. (365) At 



' Veterinary Journal, 31, p. 310. 



' See various articles in Breeder's Gazette, 1889. 



