18 



from tlie begiuuing of tlie sandy pine region in Alabama and Georgia, 

 and often covers the gronnd as thickly as does crab-grass in other 

 sections. Mexican clover is abundant only near the coast, where it is 

 usually found in fields with crab-grass, but is valued less for grazing 

 than for hay. Beggar- weed is more abundant in Florida than elsewhere, 

 though fields containing a mixed growth of that plant, crab- grass, and 

 crowfoot are often seen in southern Alabama and (Georgia. Beggar-weed 

 has been sown in many localities in the coast region, but does not seem 

 to have gained the foothold elsewhere that it has in Florida. Where it 

 does do well it is regarded as the most valuable plant for summer and 

 fall pastures. It is eaten by all kinds of stock and is fattening, but 

 it is said that horses and mules can not stand hard work without other 

 feed. 



For later grazing the same plants may be used, and cowpeas and 

 chicken corn, together with pickings from the corn and hay fields, make 

 the fall pastures ricli and varied in favorable seasons; but in seasons of 

 severe drought they often become dry and poor, and it is in such seasons 

 more than at any other time that silos and soiling crops are needed. 

 Although cowpeas do not bear grazing well they make the best of feed, 

 and are often more profitable when used for pasturage than when used 

 in any other way. The droppings from the grazing animals are left in 

 the field and serve to maintain the fertility of the soil. On very light 

 or sandy soils the plowing under of the vines is less beneficial than 

 the trampling of the stock and the addition of the manure. While it is 

 more profitable to cut the vines for hay when grown by themselves, 

 pasturing them is usually better when they are grown in cornfields. 

 The fertilizing value of the crop is worth more than the cost of the 

 seed, so that the pasturage is all clear prolit. Chicken corn is more 

 abundant in the black prairie region than elsewhere, and makes its 

 growth late in the season after corn is nearly matured. Being a vol- 

 unteer crop, it costs nothing and is worth nearly or (juite as much as 

 sorghum for grazing puri)Oses. A good grazing plant which will bear 

 the autumn drought without injury would be a great boon to the 

 Southern stock raiser. 



WINTER PASTURES. 



For winter grazing, oats, rye, barley, and hairy vetch are the most 

 successful crops, and a mixtun; of "turf oats" and hairy vetch has 

 given more satisfactory results than has any other winter-grazing 

 crop which has been tested. The turf oats are more hardy than are 

 most other varieties, never having been injured by cold in central 

 Mississippi or Alabama. They stool very freely, often sending up 100 

 or more stems from a single root, and they bear close and long-con- 

 tinued grazing without injury. For winter grazing they should be 

 sown as early as October, though December sowing may be made for 

 early spring feed. 



These oats ripen later than do other varieties, and the yield of grain 

 is about the same. Ordinarily they are entirely free from rust, though 



