CATTLE SOILING AND ENSILAGE, 817 



Then the pasture could be used a day occasionally when there 

 was a press of work or bad weather made it difficult to handle 

 green food. This would relieve soiling of some of its greatest 

 objections, for the most difficult time to get an abundant supply 

 of green food for soiling is early in the spring, and that is when 

 the stock needs it most, after many months on dry food; and 

 the only really disagreeable work connected with it would be 

 the necessity of cutting and handling the food in the rain. 

 This plan would enable the farmer to turn his stock to pasture 

 very early, for the pastures would be left well protected in the 

 fall. They could also be stocked very heavily during this sea- 

 son of rapid growth, for if eaten close there would be plenty of 

 time for the grass to make a new growth. In adopting this plan 

 I think it would be best that the stock be kept up after 

 soiling began, unless long-continued bad weather made it neces- 

 sary to turn them out for a day or two. 



In beginning soiling there are three points which must re- 

 ceive attention: First, enough food must be grown to provide 

 against extraordinary drought, failure, or deficiency of crop 

 from any cause ; second, a succession of food must be provided 

 for the entire season with as much variety as possible, and the 

 more convenient to the stable the better ; third, suitable prepa- 

 ration should be made for taking care of the stock and manure 

 and for handling the food, with a view to economy of labor and 

 comfort and cleanliness of the stock. 



It is wise to begin with a larger acreage of crops in propor- 

 tion to the stock kept than is generally recommended, for all 

 surplus of the different soiling crops can be cured arid kept for 

 winter use, and it is always better to have a surplus than to 

 run short. The farmer should also keep on hand a stock of 

 hay or other food sufficient for a month or six weeks, so as to 

 be sure the stock would not suffer in case of the failure of a 

 crop. A little dry food will often be found beneficial also when 

 feeding green succulent crops, as for example when you change 

 from well-matured grass and clover to green corn. The suc- 

 cession of succulent food I shall treat under the head of Soiling 

 Crops. 



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