FORAGE CROPS. 381 



an excellent fodder, which is greatly relished by all stock, and 

 which, up to the time of the hardening of its stem, is admirably 

 suited to the production of milk. 



The only specific directions for its cultivation are to put the 

 seed into the ground at the earliest practicable moment in the 

 spring, and to sow thickly. An early start (on land that is not too 

 wet) seems to be even more important than richness of soil. And 

 (unlike this crop when grown for grain) the land cannot he too rich^ 

 as it should all be removed before it is sufficiently matured to 

 lodge. As soon as the crop has fairly blossomed, — if there is a 

 bit of corn or clover that can be cut for the stock,— the oats 

 should all come down. At this stage, (as is the case with all 

 cereals,) the nutritive constituents of the plant are the most uni- 

 formly distributed throughout all parts of its structure, and prob- 

 ably it contains (straw and all) very nearly all that it will at any 

 time contain. At all events, any slight disadvantage that may 

 result from cutting the crop before it has ceased to receive nutri- 

 ment from its roots, will be more than compensated for by the fact 

 that even the butts of the straw will be sweet and nutritious, and 

 will be consumed without waste. Cut at this stage of growth, and 

 properly cured, oats will be little, if any, inferior to the best hay. 



A good growth of oats, from rich and well-cultivated land, will 

 make from two and a half to three tons of hay, equal to average 

 meadow hay. It is easily cured, and keeps perfectly. Therefore 

 there is nothing risked in sowing much more than will probably 

 be needed for green feeding. It may be very convenient to have 

 it, so as to avoid cutting the corn too early, and if it is not 

 needed green, it is worth all it costs as hay. 



Rye is the great lengthener of the seasons. Sown early in 

 September, on rich land, using four bushels of seed to the acre, 

 it will often afford a good bite for the stock well into the winter, 

 if only the severe frosts hold off, and in the spring, almost before 

 the snow is fairly off of the ground, it starts its vigorous growth, 

 and may be cut or pastured fully two weeks before the first grass 

 is ready. 



