80 FARM CROPS 



can be wholly remedied by soiling crops, and at 

 little expense to the owner. Where one has pas- 

 ture for spring and early summer feeding, the soil- 

 ing problem is simple indeed. 



CORN THE BASIS FOR SOILING 



No dairyman or feeder can get along without 

 corn. It is the main crop for the silo or for soil- 

 ing. It should be the practice to plant, as early 

 as weather conditions permit, a small area of corn 

 for soiling purposes. One can always select a 

 small area that is early ready for the plow, and on 

 this manure should be put and disked well into the 

 soil. An application of commercial fertilizer can 

 also be added if the soil is not as rich as it should 

 be for the purpose. Plant the corn when the soil 

 is thoroughly prepared and when you are reason- 

 ably sure the frosts are over. 



The corn should be planted so as to produce the 

 largest quantity of forage. For soiling purposes 

 you are not expecting ears. A thick seeding is 

 best. Plant in rows 36 to 40 inches apart and a 

 grain every 3 or 4 inches. Harrow soon after 

 planting to destroy weeds which are abundant at 

 that time. Then cultivate frequently during the 

 rest of the time. By the last of June you have 

 green corn ready for stock. If your pastures are 

 light, begin to feed a little corn every day and then 

 gradually increase as needed. 



As the corn is cut off, disk up the land and fol- 

 low with cowpeas. This can be done every two or 

 three weeks, and a crop of cowpeas for soiling or 

 hay can be obtained the same season. A year's 



