Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-12-10
Aerirnltural department.
Shelter VS. Waste.

6u0ll oI vs. w A0J0.
Conceding the accuracy of the census
statistics, we have in our State more than
l2,000. $50 of hay consuming animals. hav-
ing cash value Of $20, $40 OG.
To shelter these animals during the in
clement months of our Northern winters,
barns Of some description have been built,
at an outlay of more than 8 $4,000, 0c0.
In these barns there are annually consumed
more than 3 5000, 600 worth of hay. The
cost Of pasturage during the summer
months. 10 estimated at 3 1 ,625, ZOO. The
cost Of fencing at s29, 900 600 (See Good
ales Report. 1860. page 24). The cost Of
taking care of stock cannot be less than
$500, 900. making in the sum total invest
ed in Eliminating animals $l0l ,665, 900,
The domestic animals in the United
States are valued at 1900, 100000
The wintering Of farm stock is the heavi.
est bill which the farmer is obliged to meet
During not less than 2l0 days of the y ear
these $4,000. 900 animals must receive their
food from the end of the pitch fork. More
than 100000 tons of hay are annually
consumed by them.
The question naturally arises, why this
immense wealth in cattle-fcr what, this
enormous consumption of hay to feed them.
A writer in Prize Essay answers. "tha.
which makes cattle an absolute necessity
in cultivation, is MANURE" This is great
mistake. Whether the hay, or any other
food. passes through tho body Of the ami
inals, or goes at once into the soil. II
regular decomposition can be insured, the
effect will be the same. The animal is on
ly q consumer. it does not impart anything,
but che reverse, it takes from the food, so
that feeding is . waste. unless benefit is
realized in the increased value of the ami
NAL, or in some sids-product. of which
manure is one, as we'll as butter. II straw
is passed thrsngh the animal. the manure
is nothing but decomposed straw-lf dam :
aged hay-whethsr so from exposure, or
being over-rips-the ejecta is only decom-
posed, damaged hay.
Cattle, as manure machines, are not an
''absolute necessity but as machines for
conversion Of hay into beef or butter, NUT
ton and wool, are Indispensable; that which
is exsrtsd or given out, varies in value ae
cording to the substances from which it is
made. This brings as to our first PROPOSE
ton. that:-hay at a certain period Of its
grosoh. contains greater amount Of food
than at any other period.
Grass ia the most natural and nutritious
food, and the nearer dried (hay) comes to
growing grass the richer the food. The
estimate end of all vegetable growth, is to
perfect its seed. In obedience to this law
Of its growth. its roots reach the soil and
ito stalks and leaves the air for that. refined
in the formation and development of its
seed.
While these plants used for feed. are in
process Of growth, they are of soft sue
culent nature consisting principally of
gum, sugar and oils. in all easily disgestiblc
condition with proportion Of woody fibre.
When in blossom they contain large
amount Of gum. sugar. oils &c. During
the period from the formation Of the bios
som until the maturity of the seed the
amount of those substances constantly di.
minishes, and the amount of woody fibre
increase until the plant is ripe. when the
stalks and leaves are principally composed
Of woody fibre, with small proportion Of
gum, sugar sc.
Paper manufacturers, by = process Of
steaning and maceration separate the
starch. gam and sugar from the straw. leav
ing the woody fibre in soft pulpy state. to
be converted into paper
The fact that rye straw is held to be the
least valuable of all kinds Of straw for ieed
ing purposes, 10 coiroborated by the fact
that it is most valuable for making paper
Cotton is the purest natural form Of
woody fibre, and rye straw comes nearest
to it in composition Of any straw.
The benefit realized from hay is in pro
portion to the available nutriment contain
ed in it. So much only, is available as is
soluble, soluble in water and soluble in
acid; it will be remembered that there ey-
lists in the stomach of every animal an acid
which, is the source Of it's Digestive power.
Hay, it is said; has II "a parts soluble in
water and % parts soluble in acid, when it
10 richest in elements of nutrition
It's matter Of much Importance to the
farmer to know. where in the interim he
tween the time Of blossoming and the for
nation of the seed, that precise period is
when his grasses contain the greatest
amount Of available food. An error in his
calculations, of week too soon, or week
too late, tells upon his purse.
The tardy hay maker complains that
his hay is going back, yet year after year
delays his coming to the haying felds.
till his grsss has ripsned into material for
,oor paper. when per force Of necessity,
his barns must be filled wit h this go back,
hav, which kills both ways. like Humid
bras gun This woody fibre hay. in its
ordinary condition 10 insoluble and ind
resti:,le. The sugar. gum, oils. albumen
ana ash of plants are what the animal APP