Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-07-30


PC. VI. writes: Pea hay is supposed
10 have an injurious effect on the Kid
neys of horses IL fed continuously. L
have been told that mules are not so
affected Please say II this is fact /
and also how much pea hay can be fed |
horses without injury.
The idea that pea hay has an in |
furious effect on the kidneys OF horses !
n fed continuously is news 10 the
writer. While tia claim OF our CORES
pondent may be correct. I have never
heard this subject mentioned at farm
ers' Institutes i'm the state nor has IL
been called to my sttention by letter.
I have also visited many farms where
horse breeding was engaged I'm quite
extensively and I'm n number OF i'm
stances have seen them Jed pea hay.
and It would seem that IN there was
anything I'm the claim that pea hay
was Injurious TO horses that some sug-
gestion would have been made rela-
tive Ca il 10y these breeders.
Pea hay has been fed to work horses
/ on the station farm for several months
at time without injury so far ms we
know The principal reason for dis
continuing It's use has been due 10
the high price it commands on the
market and the difficulty experienced
/ I'm growing a sufficient supply 20 last
Tor longer period. Wc have not had
any experience I'm feeding II continu-
ally TO horses. and therefore cannot
speak with any authority ON this sub
ject. but n any OF our readers have
had the experience mentioned. we
should Ice glad 20 have them throw
some light ON the subject.
I 10 not believe that pea hay IL In.
furious TO mules. because it is the prac
ticc Of every mule breeder in Teuncs
see 20 feed pea hay whenever possible
In fact the fine coat Of hair which
characterizes the Tennessee mule is
attributed largely 10 the feeding OF pes
hay. This at least is the belief of feed
ers with years OF experience: men wh'
have handled and fed thousands %
mules. have been told 10y some 81
the leading mule feeders Of the Stat
that feeders from other sections OF IN
country have frequently visited thei
places 20 ascertain If possible hoy
they fed their mules Co produce sue
splendid coats for while mules 81
\ many other sections of the countr
s may be in rs good condition. the qua
4 ity OF the hair and the character ,
q the coat 90 not approach that Of Oh
4 Tennessee fed mule whom handled n
telligcntly. Il is a common sayiu
y among mule feeders in Tennessee th'
/. the coat they can put ON their mui'
through the use OF pea hay cnehl
y them 10 obtain from $40 60 SO mo-
a FOR them than they would otherwi
A bring The experience OF SO maj
!. large feeders extending as 1t does ov
y number Of years is pretty good eN
;. dencc OF the value OF pea hay i'm n
Il tening mules. and it would also see
ID that il had no injurious effects
20 these animals.
. Just why it should be held that p
- hay Injuries horses and not mules
W not clear 20 the writer. provided q
p pea hay is OF a first class quality. T
ID pea hay is hard 10 cure and sometin
I'd IL is fed when in a moldy and uns'
y isfactory condition and this might
: count for the trouble indicated.
NJ much as ten pounds of pea hay is 60
w monty fed 20 horses and mules In Il
m State. II is rarely If ever the exc
I'd sive ration. but is gen rally fed alo
r with mixed hay. corn slower. corn
rs sorghum silage OF sorghum fodder
80 Prof. \. Nj. SOule.