-----------------------------+-------+------+-------+-------+------+----- Very many analyses of hay have been made by British and Continental chemists, the results of which are of great interest to the agriculturist. The composition of the natural and artificial grasses, which is shown in the tables given in pages 158-9 will, if we reduce their per-centage of water to 16, give us an approximation to the composition of hay. If the herbage, too, be sown in the proper time, and the hay-making process be skilfully conducted, there will be but little difference, except in the amount of water, between the plants in their fresh and dry state; but owing to inopportune wet weather, and carelessness in manipulation, excellent herbage is not unfrequently converted into inferior hay. According to Dr. Voelcker, the average composition of meadow-hay, as deduced from the results of twenty-five analyses, is as follows:-- Water 14·61 Flesh-forming constituents 8·44 Respiratory and fatty matters 43·63 Woody fibre 27·16 Mineral matter (ash) 6·16 ------ 100·00 Dr. Anderson's analysis of meadow-hay, one year old, and of inferior quality, gave the following results:-- Water 13·13 Flesh-forming matters 4·00 Non-nitrogenous substances 77·61 Mineral matter 5·26 ------ 100·00 The results of the investigations of Way prove that the herbage of water-grass meadows is more nutritious than that of dry meadows--results perfectly harmonious with the experience of practical men. It is a somewhat general belief, that the aftermath, or second cutting, is less nutritious than the first cutting; but there appears to be no chemical difference between the two crops, provided they be saved under equally favorable conditions. According to Dr. Anderson, the composition of clover-hay of the second cutting is as follows:-- Water 16·84 Flesh-forming principles 13·52 Non-nitrogenous matters 64·43 Mineral matter (ash) 5·21 ------ 100·00