Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Hay
HAY, the stems and leaves of grasses
and other plants cut for fodder, dried in
the sun, and stored usually in stacks.
The time most suitable for mowing grass
intended for hay is that in which the
saccharine matter is most abundant in
the plants, viz., when the grass is in full
flower. For the operation of mowing,
dry weather, and, if possible, that in
which sunshine prevails, is chosen. Care
must be taken to avoid haymaking either
under a scorching sun or during the
prevalence of rain, and the heaps should
never be opened in the morning till the
disappearance of the dew. On large
farms the work is performed by haymaking
machines in conjunction with other
agricultural implements.

The total hay crop in the United

States for 1920 was estimated at
108,233,000 tons, with a farm value of
$1,809,162,000, and the total acreage at
72,830,000 acres. The greatest hay
producing States were New York, Nebraska,
Wisconsin, Ohio, Illinois, Minnesota,
Missouri, South Dakota, Kansas,
Pennsylvania, Iowa, and California.