AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PREPARING HAY AS FOOD FOR ANIMALS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PREPARING HAY AS FOOD FOR ANIMALS." A com-
munication from abroad by John B. Lafitte, of New Orleans, Louisiana, United
States of America.
ealed the 11th January 1878, and dated the 8th August 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th August 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PREPARING HAY
AS FOOD FOR ANIMALS." [A communication from abroad by John B. Lafitte, of
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.]
This Invention relates to the preparation of hay in a novel manner by condensing
or compressing the same under great pressure, whereby its natural elasticity and
tubular structure are destroyed, and it is thereby rendered much more easy of
mastication and more nutritious than when in its ordinary condition.
It has already been attempted to improve the nutritious qualities of hay by
compression, but prior to this Invention the manner of effecting the compression or
condensation to an extent sufficient to obtain the desired result has not been
known.
In the course of experiments conducted with a view to carry. this Invention into
practice it has been discovered that it is necessary to subject the hay to a pressure
of about 400,000 lbs. per square foot, and in practising this Invention I use a press
of suitable strength to exert this pressure. When the hay has been sufficiently
compressed or condensed to destroy its tubular structure, and to render it an inert
or inelastic body, and the compressed mass of hay resembles a mass of corn or
similar grain, the pressure must be stopped, and the hay removed from the press.
It will then be found to have a weight equal to about 45 to 60 lbs. per cubic foot.
Its air cells will all be crushed, and the air expelled therefrom, and it will require
but little more mastication than corn meal. It will therefore be seen that by this

page_text: Invention the character of the hay is completely changed, as from a comparatively
innutritious substance, which cannot be eaten by some animals in sufficient quantities
to keep them in good condition, it is changed into a substance which possesses very
high nutritious properties, so that horses fed on this prepared hay will require but
little if any corn; and the use of this new material will be much more economical
than the use of corn in addition to ordinary chopped hay or hay otherwise prepared
without changing its properties, as above described. Moreover, this improved
prepared hay occupies but a very small space as compared with ordinary hay, and
is therefore very convenient with regard to storage or transport, so that this Inven-
tion affords very great advantages in all cases where a great number of animals
has to be supplied with food brought from a distance or stored for any length of
time; and this Invention is particularly advantageous with regard to the simplicity
of the treatment of the hay, and the absence of any agencies which might leave the
compressed material in an unwholesome condition, as the desired results are obtained
by mechanical means, and are in no way dependent upon chemical action, which
sometimes involves the use of materials which, if not completely removed, produce
very injurious results.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th
February 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "AN IMPROVED METHOD OF PREPARING HAY
AS FOOD FOR ANIMALS." A communication from abroad by John B. Lafitte, of
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America.
This Invention relates to the manufacture or preparation of food for animals in a
novel manner by condensing or compressing hay under great pressure, whereby
its natural elasticity and tubular structure are destroyed, its air cells are crushed,
the air contained therein is expelled, and the hay is thereby greatly changed in its
condition and quality, and is greatly improved with regard to its ease of mastication
and its nutritiousness. Attempts have already been made to improve the nutritious
qualities of hay by compression, and I am aware that hay has been compressed to a
density equivalent to a weight of about 20 pounds per cubic foot, but compression
to this extent does not change essentially the quality or nature of the hay, and prior
to this Invention no manner of effecting the compression or condensation to an
extent sufficient to obtain the desired result has been publicly known.
In the course of experiments conducted with a view to carry this Invention into
effect it has been discovered that it is necessary to subject the hay to a pressure
of about 400,000 pounds per square foot, and in practising the said Invention
I use a press of suitable strength to exert this pressure upon the hay. When thus
treated the hay will have a specific gravity about equal to that of wheat
or maize, that is to say, its weight will be from 45 to 60 pounds per cubic foot, its
tubular structure will be destroyed, its air cells will all be crushed, and the air
expelled therefrom, and it will be in the condition of an inert or inelastic body or
mass resembling the substance of kernels of wheat or similar grain, and will require

page_text: but little more mastication than_corn, meal, or similar food. It will therefore be
seen that by this Invention the character or nature of the hay is completely changed,
as from a comparatively innutritious substance, which cannot be eaten by some
animals in sufficient quantities to keep them in good condition, it is changed into a
substance which possesses very high nutritious properties, so that horses fed on this
prepared hay will require but little if any corn; and the use of this new material
will be much more economical than the use of corn in addition to ordinary chopped.
hay or hay otherwise prepared without changing its nature or properties, as above
described. Moreover, this improved prepared food occupies but a very small space
as compared with ordinary hay, and is therefore very convenient with regard to
storage or transport, so that this Invention affords very great advantages in all
cases where a large number of animals has to be supplied with food brought from a
distance or stored for any length of time; and the said Invention is particularly
advantageous with regard to the simplicity of the treatment of the hay, and the
absence of any agencies which might leave the compressed material in an unwhole-
some condition, as the desired results are obtained by mechanical means, and are in
no way dependent upon chemical action, which sometimes involves the use of
materials that, if not completely removed, produce very injurious results.
In some instances straw may be used, and subjected to compression with the hay
in the preparation of the same, according to this Invention.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim, the improved manufacture of food for animals, as above set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighth day of February, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.