16 



t'lELD CROPS 



the proportionate acreage in the various crops was about the 

 same as in 1909. The percentage of each of the important 

 grain crops in 1917 as compared with the total of all grains in 

 acreage, yield, and value are shown in Table II. 



Figure 2. 



-Abundant farm crops and prosperous, well-tilled farms result when 

 grain and stock farming are wisely combined. 



8. Forage Crops. Next to the grains, forage crops are 

 of most importance. A forage plant is one which is fed to 

 stock in the green state or when cured into hay or fodder. 

 The leaves and stems of the whole plant may be used. In 

 addition to the harvested hay and fodder crops, this class 

 includes the pasture plants. The total area in harvested 

 forage crops in 1909 was 71,915,000 acres, or 15.06 per cent 

 of the total acreage of improved farm land. The production 

 of hay and forage was 97,147,000 tons, and the value of this 

 forage was $822,476,000. No definite value can be placed 

 on the acreage in pasture, which is much greater than the 

 acreage in harvested forage crops. 



