THE ENSILAGE OF OTHER CROPS THAN CORN. 59 



as greatly in the size and color of the seeds as do the 

 garden beans. The plants differ much in size and vigor, 

 as well as in their disposition to run, and seek some sup- 

 port upon which to climb. Some, if provided with poles, 

 would climb to the hight of several feet, and these, in 

 field culture, twine about one another and form a dense 

 matted mass that prevents harvesting by the mowing 

 machine. Some varieties are preferred by southern 

 farmers for plowing under, others are considered best for 

 hay, and still other kinds for the production of ripened 

 peas. 



The "Johnson Grass," also in some localities called 

 "Guinea Grass," and "Means Grass," is a tall perennial 

 species, Sorghum Halepense, with thick tuberous roots, 

 that is of late being planted extensively in the Southern 

 and some of the Middle States. It allows of several cut- 

 tings during the season, and is highly esteemed by those 

 who cultivate it, both for feeding green and for hay. 

 This is another plant that promises to have its value 

 greatly increased by being preserved in silos. 



Buckwheat is one of the crops that has been suggested 

 as proper for ensilage, though we have no definite accounts 

 of its employment in this manner. It has the merit of 

 giving a fair crop upon poor land. The straw, after the 

 grain has been removed, is not regarded as especially val- 

 uable, and indeed, when fed to swine or used as bedding 

 for them, is apt to cause an eruption upon or irritation of 

 the skin. If stored in the silo, this should be done before 

 the grain has formed, just at flowering time, in order 

 that the herbage may be in the most nutritious condition. 



Prickly Comfrey, Symphytum asperrimum, a plant that 

 has been rather slow in finding a place in our agriculture, 

 is in Europe commended as one useful for ensilage, espe- 

 cially to mix with fodder corn in the silo. We have seen 

 no definite accounts of experiments with this plant in 

 the form of ensilage. In some localities in Virginia, and 



