Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1881-06-17
Agricultural.


hay. With every succeeding yearthe approach
Of the hayinR season has been made the occa-
sion for learned editorials in the agricultural
journals, showing how the nutritivo princi-
Piles in the grasses were changed into woody
fibre, and the crop made comparatively worth
less il not cut in bloom or before. With all
the authorities in favor of early-cut hay, and
all the agricultural writer's urging farmers to
begin haying early and TO finish haying early
some even going so far as TO recommend
cutting before bloom-it was somewhat hete-
rodox in Prof Sanborn, of the New Hamp-
shire agricultural college farm, to undertake
a series of experiments to determine the com
parative value of hay made from grass cut at
different stages of its growth and at full ma
turity, and 10 announce the result to be in ia
vor of grass cut at some period after bloom.
His tests were made with grass cut at diff
ferent times in the summer of 1879, and also
in the summer of 1880. That of 1879 was
cut at three periods: before bloom, while in
bloom, and after bloom or while the seed was
maturing. Owing to rainy weather, the hoy
experimental with last season was not cut at
exactly the time intended. One piece was
harvested on the first of July, when in bloom
or two or three days before full blossomingi
the other was cut July "a, when the seeds
were formed but not fully matured, though
so nearly SO that a few scattered out in hand
ling. Samples of these two lots of hay were
analysed by Prof. Collier of the National De-
partment of Agriculture, and the analysis
showed no material difference in the nutritive
vnlue that would appear from their chemical
constituents. But the actual quantity of nu-
tritious matter that an article of food may
contain is not alone the measure of its value
as food. The changes that it undergoes in
the process of digestion and assimilation are
such that its nutritive value can only be learn
ed by observing its effects. Early-cut hay has
been supposed to be more nutritious because
more digestible than that cut late. Prof. San
born cannot say that there was not more of
the early-cut hay digested but for this he
cares little, since the result of his experiments
has shown the nutritive value of the late-cut
hay to be the greater. Between that cut July
l, in bloom, and that cut July "a, after the
seed was partly matured he claims but a
slightly greater nutritive effect for the latter,
and thinks perhaps he may have passed the
period when its value was greatest but that
cut after the period of bloom has in all cases
which he has tested given the best result.
His experiments appear to have been con-
Quoted with great care The hay was weigh
ed when put in the barn, and again before
feeding, noting the shrinkage in the NOW,
which was from II to Al per cent The
weight of two lots of catte-one two-year-
old and one yearlng steer in each lotto
gether of nearly equal weight, was taken at
the beginning of the trial; one lot was fed
on the early-cut hay and the other ON the late
cut hay, their daily rations being carefully
weighed. At the end of 40 days the gain on
the steers fed with hay cut July l, when in
bloom, was found to be 40 pounds; and the
gain on the steers fed with hay cut July "a,
when the seed had partly matured, was pre-
cisely the same. But the lot fed on the late
cut hay had gained % pounds less than the
others for the 46 days previous to the expert
ment. The steers fed on the early-cut hay
consumed more than the steers fed ON the
late-cut hay. The rations We're then reversed
and the steers then fed on the early-cut hay
allowed only the same weight that those fed
on the late-eut hay would eat. At the end oil
As days the lot fed on early-cut hay had lost
20 pounds, and the others eight pounds, show
ing this much loss in consequence of reduc
ing their daily food about four pounds agains
gain of 40 pounds in nearly equal time
when fed on full rations. The weight of tn,
steers in one lot, at the beginning of the ex
pertinent, was 1860 pounds in the other
1868. The gain of 40 pounds in 43 day
was exceptionally large for cattle of tina
weight. An average gain at that rate fo
four years would make monsters of them.
In experiments with mich COWS, Prof San
born found that late-cut hay, when fed alone
produced less milk but the cows kept il
better flesh, and the quality of the milk wa
better than when they were fed on hay Gu
early.
Hay cut on different pieces in similar con
dition, the one early and the other late, AM
carefully weighed in the spring, indicated Al
increase in bulk and weight after the blossom
ing period.
During the two past years, Prof. SanboE
has made not less than ten different trials, IN
der varying circumstances, testing the valu
of late against early cut hay and in every in
stance, he says, the later-cutihay 'has give
more increase for the total purposes of tn
animal organization"
1t will hardly do, in this matter, to acceI
the conclusions of one man almost against til
world although it must be admitted he give
very substantial reasons for them. In col
Guiding the statement of his experiments,
says:
II believe that timothy or clover hay, pa
ticularly the former, is worth more per pound
and for timothy 80 to 40 per cent more pc
acre, for cutting when sufficiently out of bloom
than when in bloom or prior to bloom.
would not be understood as saying that a
vegetation thus advances in quantity and qua
ity. From some experience l conclude thu
il is true of corn-fodder that il increases
quantity and quality, and am inclined to b.
heve il true of most vegetation. Prof. Co
lier's famous Investigations of sugar plan
shows that glucose grows less and sueroI
more, AZ the plant natures Abundant receI
investigation shows that the amides grow le
in quantity, and the albuminoids more as Il
various plants investigated mature. 9th
favorable transformations take place, and,
view of recent investigations, no chemi
would dare say, or think of indicating, tn
all was known of the complex changes in
maturing plant. The animal is now, and
ways will be, the tribunal from which the
can be no appeal / therefore recommeI
with confidence, on the part of those who pu
sue the practice of very early cutting of 70
age crops-timothy, clover and corn todd
more particularly, because of facts noted I
garding those (not meaning TO exclude other
to extend the period to point beyond Il
period of bloom yet to be determined; like
to be after the seed begins to form or is full
formed, but probably short of full maturity
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Clever D.,e,,.,, n, Gate,