Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 October 1909 — Farm and Garden [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Farm and Garden

IDEAS ABOUT HAY. Increase In Yield and How to Improve Crept. The average yield of hay In the United States from 1865 to 1870 was 1.28 tons per acre. This yield was exceeded but three times during the forty years from 1865 to 1905. The aver age yield for the third five year period ending with 1880, was 1.29 tons; that of the seventh five year period was 1.35 tons, and that for the last five years was 1.47 tons per acre. The average yield for the last period shows an increase of 0.19 ton over that for the first period and an increase of 0.21 ton over the average yield for forty years, which is 1.26 tons per acre. The average yield per acre In the ten leading timothy hay producing states for forty years varies little from that for the entire United States. There is a slight difference during the first

twenty-five years, when the yield was above that for the United States. The yield during the last fifteen years was nearly the same for both. The feeding value of hay is often lowered when It Is stacked out In the open. Considerable hay Is often entirely spoiled so that It Is unfit for feeding. The amount of spoiled and damaged hay depends upon the time the stack stands and upon the method of stacking. In Virginia a six to eight ton stack of timothy hay, after It has gone through the sweat, or, In three or four weeks, will have from 300 to 600 pounds of damaged hay. Most of this will be on the top and only a small portion on the sides and the bottom.

The market value of hay Is frequently lowered because this stained hay is worked Into the bales. It may happen that the spoiled hay will be no more tllan a couple of handfuls, which amount Is really insignificant, but the Inspector cannot tell how much the bale contains, so he is forced to grade It one or two grades lower. This causes quite a loss to those who sell hay. In lowa and surrounding states considerable hay is stacked in the field, and the loss due to stacking is not thought to be enough to warrant the building of a barn for hay only. The most important thing In determining the value of hay is payability, for if it is not relished not enough will be eaten to furnish much nourishment to the animal. When hay is exposed in the field too long In the hot sun or Is subject to rain Its palatablllty will be lessened, which In turn lowers its market and feeding value. Low grade hay Is not as palatable nor does It contain as much nourishment as the better grades. In general there is little if any profit In growing and selling low grade hay, especially that made from the grasses, for the loss of fertilizing value or crop producing power of the land amounts

to more thuu the net profit after the cost of curing, baling, etc., is deducted. The price of hay land Is steadily rising in the tame hay section, and In order to make a fair profit on the value of the laud it will be necessary for the grower to practice the best methods of culture, curing, baling and selling. Before there can be any material change In the quality of hay sent to the market it -will be necessary for farmers to learn the grades of hay, for it is Impossible to grow choice hay if the producer does not know what constitutes this grade. Much of the heavy work in loading hay can be saved by using « hay loader. Take pains to stack well. Note the difference between the stacks in the illustration. Extra Tillage. Probably no operation on the farm pays so well on the Investment as the extra tillage requisite to secure ideal conditions. Clods repel the tiny roots, and vacancies between carry neither ready moisture nor food. Sometimes, especially in dry seasons, the difference In yield between a cloddy soil and one open, mellow, with available food easy to reach and moisture at will, approaches 100 per cent.

LOADING HAY BY HAND.

GOOD AND BAD STACKS.