126 FOR BETTER CROPS 



meadow fescue, and Russian brome grass may fig-ure largelj' in 

 the grasses of the meadow. 



In tlie upland areas of the northern plateaus of the western 

 mountains, orchard grass, meadow fescue, Russian brome, and 

 tall oat grass have given satisfaction. In the south, one of the 

 best combinations is orchard grass, tall oat grass, and in some 

 instances timothy. 



The Legumes as Hay Crops — Leguminous crops are those 

 that produce their seeds in sacs or pods. They are all possessed 

 of the power to draw nitrogen from the air in the process of 

 growth and to store it in the soil, where it is accessible to crops 

 that immediately follow. This power to appropriate nitrogen 

 not in the soil is doubtless one reason why legumes are so rich in 

 protein. Protein is the element in foods which is chiefly used in 

 making muscle and milk, for other than legumes are largely used 



Cutting a heavy stand ol timothy 



in the production of heat and energy. Unless these foods are fed 

 indue balance, animals can not be so cheaply grown, so perfectly 

 grown, or so well maintained. 



Three reasons will always exist for the growing of legumes. 

 The first is that they must be grown if foods are to be fed 

 in balance. The second is that nature unaided does not furnish 

 them in anything like the same abundance as it furnishes many 

 of the grasses proper. The third is because of the great service 

 they render in the enrichment of the land. Of so much account 

 a,re they in the animal and vegetable world that it behooves the 

 farmer to give special attention to their abundant growth in the 

 rotation. 



Young animals, especially, must be abundantly supplied with 

 muscle-making material. This explains why the clovers furnish 

 more suitable food for them than the grasses proper. Likewise 



