Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1884-07-31

females. but no farmer will contend it is AS
honrlShlns TODD as corn todder-pound tor
ponnd-for stock of either sex or any a e.
ln Calltornla they cut wheat and barley
green for hay. and horses eat it AS freely AS
they wood timothy or clover. Wheat or
barley straw. that is to say. the same plants
after they have concentrated the greater
part OF heir nutriment in the seeds, are not
to be compared with this hay in nutritive
value. In this case the animals taste hap
pens to coincide with the judgment and
choice of the feeder. From the above yerv
brief survey of facts. we see that not all
members of the family of the Graminee ad-
vance pari Passm in their proportionate feed
ing value from the stage of complete green
ness to that OF maturity.
NOW, in imitation of Prof Sanborn, will
give the testimony of the sheep on this sub
Ject, in which direction | have had some
very positive and instructive experience.
have never fed sheep, week about, on early
and late-cut hay, but have fed flocks OF all
ages, for periods of different length. on hay
cut at almost every stage of growth. This
experience | cannot tabulate in columns. by
weeks or by months, or deduce from it any
nice comparisons of value in dollars and
cents; but tor my own practical guidance
1t is more available than if cut long or short
by any procrustean method OF figures.
The sheep Graves, more intensely than
other domestic animal, portion of green
feed in winter, and eats hay with less grace
than any other Lambs, therefore, for their
first winter, must have green, fine hay. 1t
had certain meadow to be cut for lambs.
and were certain that it would yield only
two-thirds as much weight of hay cut at
particular stage, as it would if cut when
mature, would willingly sacrifice the third
in weight for the sake of the quality. For
several years | cut my lambs hay earlier
each season, until reached the date OF Nav
2S-that is, the earliest date at which have
begun haying. That was in orchard and
June grass In practice, | find that nv
lambs hay has to be cut within week or
less after sheep-shearing. want to COM
mence in time, so as to lay it all down be-
tore the last heads are in bloom. A given
weight OF hay is richer, proper tionately, in
albumlnolds before bloom or at bloom: in
carbohydrates, after; and it is the former
elements that young animals need, and tlieir
instinct seems to teach them that. flyss they
steadlastly refuse the late-cut tifnnthy
LAM must have hay that they h.
because is difficult to induce iksu at
enough even of the best.
For the same reasons, waat y e
kind OF hay for pregnant or ssacp n
they are nourishing young ahit"' ~lrl
sheep are more tolerant OF ms VI
aud in the early stages OF g3 vi
may be fed on it if desired, bl-zS4 i. ae
period of lactation they require someti4lg
which. if the water were restored 10 I'LL
would be close approach TO green grass.
For my dry flocks / am not so particular,
though still wish to have the hay cut early
enough to have bright green color, like |
good breakfast tea. a Hi.'hea-A |
TO revert to the theories of late cut hay.
We find that the California farmers who
make hay out of wheat and barley, treat
them as we do, or ought to do. timothy
that, as feed stuff. the stalk and leaf are of
paramount Importance, and that the seed
must be neglected for their benefit Now,
wheat and barley (the kernels) have high
feeding value, while timothy seed has none
whatever, even for sheep, which are the
closest grinders; hence we see the error of
paying any attention to 1t in that capacity. |
On the other hand, when we grow corn and
wheat specially for their seeds, we find it
advantageous to harvest them when the
herbage Is as green as possible consistent
with the interests of the seed, on account
of the enhanced feeding value of the former
in that stage. Wheat straw is worth fifty
per cent more for feed il cut when the berry
is just 'out of the milk than if cut when
the berry is hard. With timothy, then |
where the seed if of no Importance, how
much more should it be harvested when if
is tull OF juices
One thing more. Not all members of the
gramtnee are equally tolerant OF DELAY in
Timothy and corn will make
passable feed flor horses and cattle at leastl
if allowed to stand until the seed is ripe and
hard, almost ready to fall to the ground
But orchard grass, June grass, wheat. bar
ley, rye and some others, if permitted TO
stand until this stage is reached, make near