8 FORAGE CROPS 



Pastures were too often the only source of succu- 

 lent food; no provision was made for succulent 

 winter food, and the less suitable dry foods were 

 fed exclusively. Under all of these circumstances, 

 where conditions were necessarily variable, the milk 

 flow was naturally interfered with, and the actual 

 profits from the dairy materially prevented. There- 

 fore, the introduction of new crops, or the adoption 

 of any practice which will result in providing for a 

 continuous supply of food, must meet the approval 

 of progressive dairymen. 



Aside from suggestions as to continuous supply 

 of food by summer soiling, the growing of various 

 forage crops must have a bearing on summer pas- 

 ture, and on the necessity of supplementary feeds 

 to meet the requirements when conditions are 

 unfavorable, as well as to provide succulent foods 

 for winter. To be sure, many farmers have it in 

 their power to supply these supplementary feeds 

 from the regular crops at certain seasons, — as, 

 for example, when corn reaches a sufficient state 

 of maturity to permit of its use, or when grass or 

 clover from the mowing fields has reached the 

 proper stage of maturity, — but ordinarily no pro- 

 vision is made to meet the possible demands at 

 such seasons. Many of the crops that serve an 

 excellent purpose for soiling may be grown in 

 small areas, and thus provide food when needed; 

 and if not needed, the crop may be made into hay 



