FARM CROPS. 185 



difference in their structure. Which is a true root and why? What 

 varieties of sweet potatoes are grown in your section and what is 

 the average yield? Why does the Spanish peanut cling to the plant 

 so well when pulled? Is the Spanish a running variety? Which 

 way do the most successful peanut growers plant their nuts, shelled 

 or unshelled? Bring nuts of as many varieties as possible to school 

 and note their difference. Are there any nodules on the roots of 

 peanuts? Which varieties of watermelons are the best eating, home 

 varieties or market varieties? Why? 



SECTION XXVI. FORAGE CROPS. 



By PROF. C. V. PIPER, 

 Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture. 



Forage crops include all plants cultivated to produce 

 food for farm animals, especially where the whole 

 plant is thus used. They may be utilized in various 

 ways, namely, as soiling crops, ensilage, pasturage 

 and hay or fodder. Some forage crops are used in 

 only one way, others in two or more. 



Soiling Crops. A soiling crop is any forage plant 

 that is cut and fed green to animals. Some forage 

 crops, like kale and Japanese sugar cane, are fed wholly 

 or mainly in this manner, but practically any forage 

 crop can be thus utilized. It is possible, especially in 

 portions of the country where the winters are mild, to 

 provide a series of such crops so that cows can have 

 green feed the year around. Such a system of feeding 

 is rarely practiced, however, owing to the large amount 

 of labor necessitated. An exceedingly desirable char- 

 acteristic in a soiling crop is its ability to grow again 

 from the root after being cut. For this purpose such 

 plants as teosinte, pearl millet and Guinea grass are 

 particularly useful in the South. 



Ensilage. For a description of this consult the 

 chapter on Feeds and Feeding. 



Pasturage. Any forage crop that is harvested by 

 the animals feeding on it in the field is said to be pas- 

 tured. The term pasture is, however, usually applied 

 to fields of more or less permanent character where 



