176 SOILING CROPS AND THE SILO. 



parts even of a single state. In choosing varieties 

 preference should be given to those which stool 

 much, and produce growth of a fine character, pro- 

 viding they are not too weak in the straw to prove 

 satisfactory. 



When these grains are sown singly, the quantity 

 of seed that may best be used can be given only 

 approximately. The same is true of them when sown 

 in combination. In some soils the plants stool much 

 more than in others and grow with much more vigor. 

 The quantity of seed therefore, that will best serve 

 the end sought will have to be ascertained by actual 

 test. It will seldom be found profitable to sow less 

 than two or more than three bushels per acre. The 

 latter quantity or a close approximate to it will 

 usually prove more satisfactory than a less quantity 

 of seed. But when vetches form a chief factor in 

 the crop, a less quantity of seed may suffice, because 

 of the small relative size of the vetch seed. 



When wheat and oats are sown together, it is 

 customary to sow about equal quantities of each. 

 This will give a preponderance of the oat element 

 in the crop, because of the greater stooling power of 

 the latter, and this is so far satisfactory since green 

 oats are considered more palatable than green wheat. 

 When peas and oats are sown together, the most 

 suitable quantity of the seed of each will be de- 

 termined chiefly by conditions which relate to the 

 soil adaptation, as previously intimated. Because 

 of the nitrogenous character of the peas and because 

 of their high palatability, the aim should be to have 

 the peas form the preponderating element in the 

 food. The same is also true of vetches. It may be 



