?'? "ae 
Growth. 
- 
Hay-making. 
12 
mum, if from 5—7, two substances, and if from the 8™ plot, the three most important Substances “2 @ 
required. In such experiments, it is, of course, necessary to apply equal quantities of the same nutri- 
tive substances to the different plots. , 7 
In the case of grasses, liquid manure usually gives the best results. If an artificial manure is to 
be used, it should first be spread on the ground ; the application of the liquid will then wash the ma- , 
nure into the soil. It is not advisable to use farmyard manure while the plants are in active growth, 
because, when harvested, the fodder would be rendered impure thereby. Its use, immediately after the 
last cutting at the end of summer or in autumn, is preferable. fe 
From experiments conducted on a large scale by Lawes and Gilbert*), and extending over a period of 
twenty years, very important results have been obtained. The following are most noteworthy : - 
1. In the case of grasses, any manure, whether natural or artificial, reduces the number of species. 
2. Nitrogenous manures act most beneficially on grasses, while potash manures are most beneficial 
to leguminous plants. Pay, 
On good grass land, it is essential that the plants cover the ground uniformly, and produce a 
complete sward, Plants forming compact cushion-like tufts (see page 5) should be kept out. For this — 
reason, Yorkshire Fog is bad; it produces compact cushions of very unsightly grass which interfere 
with the scythe, and do not allow a uniform cut to be obtained. Grasses like Cocksfoot and Meadow 
fescue, which form simple compact tufts cannot by themselves form a complete sward — gaps must 
occur between such tufts, The same is the case with most clovers. By mixing with these other plants. 
capable of filling up the gaps, a complete sward may be obtained. For this purpose, grasses which — 
form loose tufts (False oat-grass, Timothy, Yellow oat-grass etc.), may be used. These, however, have 
this drawback: — they produce an open sward. The best plants for completing the sward — for covering 
the ground thickly and uniformly — are those which are stoloniferous, as Rough-stalked meadow-grass, 
Smooth-stalked meadow-grass, Fiorin, White clover etc. It must, however, be borne in mind, that there 
are all gradations between these modes of growth, and these should always be taken into account in 
laying down mixtures for fodder production. Meadow foxtail, for example, stands midway between the - 
stoloniferous and the loosely tufted grasses. | | 
Development. The rate at which fodder plants develop varies with the species. Some reach 
their full development even in the first year, others only in the third. For short leys, therefore, those 
grasses are selected which develope rapidly, but for permanence, those that develope more slowly and 
have a longer duration. All leguminous plants, except Sainfoin, mature very rapidly, and give a full 
yield in the first year, unless when grown with a cereal crop. 7 
Harvesting. Fodder plants are used either green or dry. Little need be said about green fodder, 
hut it is necessary to explain, at least in principle, the different methods of making dry fodder or hay. 
1. Drying by the sun. This is the usual plan. After cutting, the grass is spread out, and allowed 
to dry in the sun. While drying, it is turned once or oftener; in the evening, it is formed into foot 
cocks, and next morning, again spread out. This is the simplest and cheapest process, but can only be 
practised in favourable weather. ‘ 
2. Brown Hay. This process is used especially for clovers, which in the green state contain 
about 10 °/o more water than grasses. They are, therefore, more difficult to dry. When in flower, 
red clover contains about 80 °/o of water; when made into hay, only 16 °/o. 
64 Vo of water requires to be evaporated. If dried by the sun, evaporation goes on very slowly, and— 
frequent handling, which causes considerable loss of leaf, is necessary. To avoid these difficulties, 
brown hay is made. The cut plants are dried in the sun, till 35 or 40 °/o of the contained water has 
evaporated. While exposed to the drying action of the sun, the plants are only turned once. Large 
cocks (pukes) are now formed. These become Strongly heated, and this heat completes the evaporation 
and drying. After 5 or 6 weeks, the hay is housed, and usually no further handling is necessary. , 
During drying, therefore, 
*) Lawes and Gilbert on »The effect of different manures on the mixed herb . | Rove 
s * f bel Fs AL 
Agricultural Society of England, vol. XXIV, part I, rhage of Grass-land.« Journal of the Boye : 
i* 
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