Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1880-07-21

Early or Late Cut Hay.
We have, as our readers know, given
considerable space to this subject, for it is
one of paramount importance. To knew
at what period of its growth grass contains
the most available food, is the first thing,
and then secure it at that time in the best
possible order will be the farmers aim.
We print below Mr.. Sanborns reports of
his experiments that our readers may see
how they were conducted. Many of our
readers are much interested in these eX-
perlments, and, while not prepared to
dispute Mr.. Sanborn's conclusions, do con-
tidently assert that for the production of
milk and butter, there is no comparison of
late cut hay with that cut before it bios.
SONS. We would suggest to friend San
born 10 make that test II basis for some Of
his experiments the coming winter and
see what they will show:
With this report | shall continue and
close the report of work, with hay cut at
different periods for 1879. Three lots of
steers of the same age 1.-TWO years oldD,
and containing two in each lot, were Sc
lected. Weighed February 81.
Lot /, weight ,443 pounds, fed hay cut
before bloom.
Lot ,, weight ASP pounds, fed hay cut
il bloom.
Lot 8, weight ,450 pounds, fed hay cut
out of bloom.
Tie hay given was from same plots us
named in previous report. The above
lots of steers were all fed alike Oh clover
hay and corn fodder for 81 days previous
February "a, for Il trial or fitting period to
test their relative growing capacity. Lot
l gained 1853 pounds, lot two gained ICY
pounds; lot gained 1852 pounds. For the
length of period and amount of gain of
growth is quite uniform, and we have a
good basis to start upon. Weighed March
80 or at the end of 30 days:
Lot /, weight 1913 pounds; consumed
1,344 pounds, gain 20 pounds.
Lot2 weight l ,4Sl pounds; consumed
$50 pounds, gain 90 pounds.
Lot 3, weight 1927 pounns; consumed
1888 pounds. gain II pounds.
Or a less consumption of food, then, lot
on latest cut hay makes the largest gain.
From this period the lots were changed,
or the foods were reversed
Lot l, food latest cut hay.
Lot 2, food latest cut hay.
Lot 3, food hay cut in bloom.
Weight, May 10, lot 2, 1900 pounds;
ate for 50 days 1926 pounds
Weight, May 10, lot 3, 1880 pounds;
ate for IS days 1,454 pounds.
Lot |, the weight is not given, because
the steers were taken with the scours,
from some unknown cause, so that before
they recovered their weight was obviously
affected by it, yet for the first fortnight
after change from early TO late cut hay
they gained faster, as they were yet well,
than previously on earlier cut hay. APP
parently the lot on hay cut in bloom have
gained, or rather shown the bloom hay to
be better than the late cut hay; but such
is not the fact. The result is in perfect
accord with the result in the winter of
rs, when the steers were taken from like
foods, and without previous appettes for
early hay to overcome, they consumed like
quantities, and with like quantities con-
sumel it is seen in both cases that Il very
decided superior nutritive value is found
in late cut hay. Again it is seen in both
experiments of 1879 and 1880, that when
| change from early to late hay they do not
eat us much Therefore the true test OF
the relative nutritive values of early and
late cut hay will be found in the first
period OF the experiment when like guam
titles of food are consumed, or from Feb
ruary "a to Nomember B. l wished, how
ever, to note the effects of change of
food, and to check any special case of
error. TO the feeder who will observe
that it is desirable to have large quantities
consumed and therefore advocates early
cut hay, it may be observed again, that
when starting on hay for the first time in
the barn they do consume rs much of hay
cut ut one period as at another and earlier
date.
Again, lot on hay cut in bloom requires
1854 pounds 10 make 81 pounds gain
while lot in the previous 81 days, requir
ed only 1888 pounds to make II pound.
gain. 1t is true that lot 2 gained only Il
pounds on late cut hay, while they gained
20 pounds on hay cut in bloom; yet il
required "a pounds more of hay TO make
this 10 pounds of extra gain, which as
extra food over maintenance fodder is ar
extraordinary amount, and shows that the
hay is not as nutritious rs the hay cut Gu
of bloom.
Again, upon the German standards o.
maintenance fodder, which for the sake 0
brevity | will not review, the extra fooC
over and above maintenance eaten by the
two lots should have given more gain Il
lot 3 on bloom hay, if it was us nutrition.
us the later cut hay. Finally, the late Gu
hay consumed for 70 days was 1852
pounds, and the gain for the same perio,
was 90 pounds. The hay cut in bloom
eaten for 10 days, weighed 2,013 pounds
and the gain was but so pounds | ma,
add that frequent weights were taken o
these lots of steers, and the weights il
their indications agreed with the tina
results before and after the change Of food
excepting, in one instance in the chang,
from hay cut in bloom to late cut hay
This lot lost weight the first week, an
after that period gained faster on late Gu
hay than did those on hay cut in bloom.
CLOVER HAY.
Lot l, of six three years old steers
weighed 5.778 pounds April 5.
Lot 2, of six three years old steers
weighed $40 pounds.
For 9S days previous to the experimen
both lots were fed alike.
Lot gained 400 pounds; lot 2 gainet
Z43 pounds.
Lot was fed clover cut IN bloom ant
oat straw Glover cut July y.
Lot was fed clover after bloom AM
oat straw Glover cut July 81.
Weight lot l. April 26, or Mt the end Q
q days, 5,S19 pounds. Ate clover, 1877
pounds; straw, S85 pounds
Weight lot 2, April 26. or at the end G
81 days, 5,842 pounds. Ate clover, l,89
pounds; straw, 9O2 pounds.
From April &c both lots were fed Glove
TO May 8.
Weight lot /, May 8, 1902 pounds. At
1880 pounds.
Weight lot 2, May 8, 5,s68 pounds
Ate 1882 pounds.
Here there are four lots of six steers Q
like weights and ages, and lot gainin.
on the same food for 90 days, fitting period
very much more than lot 2. We find tina
on less of later cut clover they now max
more gain. and on clover. too, a food tina
is prominently supposed to lose value b.
the shedding of its leaves by late cutting
The concluding paragraphs of Farmer