Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-07-22

sides, the crop which is permitted TO ma
tuIe the stalks and seeds is more exhaustIng
to the soil. Let doubters and unbellevers try
the experiment on parcel of similar mead
ow land, and communicate the result.
We publish the above from our respected
correspondent with pleasure, because we
like to hear both sides; but he will permit
US frankly to say, that our experience is the
reverse Of his 1t is true cattle thrive bet
ter on grass in the summer than on hay IN
winter. Why :? not because grass is more
nutritious than hay-we hold quite the
conrary-but because the weather is IN
their favor. All animals fatten much faster
in mild than in cold weather, because less
of the carbon, Qhe principle constituent of
fat is carbon of their food is consumed
by them internally, to keep up the vital heat
Another reason why grass fattens faster than
hay, arises from the imperfect and sovenly
manner of curing it; often unnecessarily
depreciating in this process, the nutrltive
qualities OF the grass. If grass IS cut when
the dew is on, or when it rains, and is SUI
fered to remain in moist condition until
fermentation takes place, there is change
in the constituent principles Of the forage /;
and what is of the highest nutrltive quality,
may be lost by their conversion into gases
and going off inthe atmosphere; or they may
by over-drying, become converted into WOO
dy fibre, indigestible in the animals stom-
ach. Those results may be as certainly OBJ
tanned by improper curing as by over-rpen-
ing the forage. y.t
A friend Of ours who keeps a superior
flock of sheep, being circumScrlbed in his
pasture, was in the habit Of cutting grass to
soil them during the summer. Last sum-
mer he substituted hay for grass, and found
the former not oIly kept his sheep in better
condition, (fatler and finer but proved
more economical We will confess that
we were surprised by the economical part,
and will allow that this could hold good on
Iy under peculiar circumstances. Ordlna-
riIy, grass would be much the cheapest
As to animals shedding their coats quick
er, and looking finer when turned TO grass
in the spring, compare them to others sta
bIed-horses and cattle fol instance, here
in this city. By the forepart of May their
coats are generally as fine as satin, and
they shine like FURNISHED mirror; while
ANIMALS turned to grass in This neighbour
hood, do not equal them in appearance I'M
til June We found when we were farm
ing, that our working cattle and horses in
variabIy secured, became thin in flesh, and
were not so strong or 50 enduring after
being turned to grass, as they were before );
and better experience induced u to keep
them in stable and on their winter food
hay and grain--until the heaviest Of the
spring, and even June work was accom-
phshed, we then turned them to grass and
light work.
We have found early mown grass was
rather apt to scour stock in the winter,
and they did not keep in so good condition
on it as Oh the later moved say about the
time the grass was shedding its flowers, and
the seed was fully formed, but not ripened.
We trust that our correspondent will
make still further experiments ; and he may
be assured that we shall be happy to hear
from him again, no matter whether he
agrees with US in opinion or not.-PLOto
The foregoing gives both sides orthis i'm
portant question one by the contributor and
the other by the editor. We acknowledge
Mr.. Robinson to be great authority, but our
own opinion has long been on the side of
1 = al otbar f,rt5
have often noted this, that COWS fed on rowin
or very early cut hay, will fall off one quart
f milk at a milking when taken from tFat
and put on hay cut at the ordinary time.
And if what cattle best like is any test of
its nutri.ive qualities, &c, the question is
settled, for all cattle Enthusiastically show pre-
ference for the earliest cut hay Ed.