504 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



tor also affects the yield of forage supplied by the various crops, which is a 

 most important point. Where the yields of different crops are approximate- 

 ly the same, a choice is usually indicated by the relative amount of protein 

 furnished. The palatability of different forages varies widely as does the 

 effect upon the flow and flavor of milk as well as upon the physical health of 

 the cow. It is difficult to secure green forage at some periods of the year 

 and this renders some crops capable of supplying green feed at this time 

 well-nigh indispensable. The time which is required to mature a crop is 

 worthy of study since some of the early crops may be followed by later 

 sowings making it possible to secure two crops from the same acreage in 

 one season. While the ease of harvesting may seem to be a minor point it 

 should be given consideration since the green feed is very heavy and in the 

 case of some crops quite difficult to handle. 



A wide variety of crops may be used for soiling purposes in this sec- 

 tion. These may be conveniently grouped as leguminous, non-leguminous, 

 and mixed. Owing to the higher content of protein which leguminous 

 crops carry as well as their value as soil improvers, they are advisable in 

 many instances. Their use tends to decrease the purchase of nitrogenous 

 concentrates which are usually the most expensive feeds and may thereby 

 lesspn the cost of the grdin ration. Leguminous crops do not thrive on acid 

 soils and frequently the application of ground limestone greatly increases 

 the yield as well as the ease of securing a stand. Those legumes not com- 

 mon to the locality or farm also require inoculation Where these two pre- 

 cautions are observed there are few Iowa soils, indeed, upon which legumes 

 will fail to respond to careful cultural methods. 



A representative number of the crops that might prove suitable for 

 soiling in this section have been tried out on the Iowa State College dairy 

 farm during the years 1911 to 1917 with interesting results. A larger va- 

 riety might have been tried but the aim has been to keep the number of 

 crops grown in any one year within the limits of practicability. 



In determining the costs of the various crops all items entering into 

 their production have been taken into account, including rent of land, la- 

 bor, manure, and seed. All operations, from the preparing of the land to 

 the harvesting and hauling of the crop to the barn have been included in 

 the labor cost. Owing to rapidly changing labor conditions it has been 

 deemed advisable to adhere to the uniform rates from which the data were 

 originally calculated rather than to recalculate them. Throughout the 

 work man labor has been charged at ?55 per month, horse labor at $2 per 

 team per day, and rent of land at $6 per acre. 



LEGUMINOUS CROPS. 

 Not many of the leguminous crops are -specially adapted for soiling pur- 

 poses under Iowa conditions and so the number tried out here has been 

 limited. 



ALFALFA. 



This is undoubtedly the most valuable soiling crop among the legumes, 

 since the various cuttings may all be utilized as soiling. Alfalfa may be 

 said to owe its importance as a forage crop to its high nutritive value, be- 

 ing especially rich in ash and protein; to its palatability; to its large total 



