294 FEEDING FARM ANIMALS 



even where pastures are much in use. Rye, peas, 

 oats, and green corn always come in handy; and 

 they often bridge over dry periods when pastures 

 are either short or are dry and withered. 



Soiling Crops Have a Place. Starting with soil- 

 ing crops in order of their use, we have rye as the 

 first aid. In the South it is ready in March and in 

 the North in April. It should be seeded in August 

 or September in the North, and in September or 

 October in the South. When thus planted it is 

 ready early in the spring, long before ordinary pastures 

 are available, or before clover or wheat can be used. 



Alfalfa Ranks First. Alfalfa is the premier soil- 

 ing crop. After alfalfa come peas, sorghum, corn 

 and other green crops. The oats and peas should 

 go in early. Cover the peas 3 or 4 inches deep, one 

 bushel to the acre ; the oats a less depth and about 

 two bushels to the acre. Inasmuch as oats fancy 

 the cool seasons rather than the warm weather, the 

 earlier they are seeded in the spring, the better. 

 Field peas also withstand a surprisingly large 

 amount of cold weather. Cowpeas and sorghum are 

 warm weather crops, and should go in after corn. 



Green Corn for Summer. Corn is an all-farm- 

 purpose crop. It is advisable to have a couple or 

 more acres of corn as a reserve crop for late sum- 

 mer feeding. Every animal on the farm relishes a 

 few stalks of green corn at night or morning when 

 the pastures are dry and hot. The soil for soiling 

 corn should be light and warm to insure early plant- 

 ing. After being well tilled and fertilized, put in the 

 corn. Plant in rows 3^2 to 4 feet apart, dropping 



