Grains and Succulent Food 179 



order to obtain the greatest production of eggs. 

 This should be given them throughout the year. 

 The question of how to supply the best food at the 

 least cost is one that each poultry-keeper must 

 decide largely for himself. It will probably make 

 very little difference what kind of green food is 

 supplied, provided that it is relished by the fowls. 

 If the runs or yards are large, so that fresh grass 

 may be supplied to them during the summer months, 

 little or no other green food will be required. 



Clover, etc. Clover cut during the early spring 

 is perhaps one of the cheapest and best of foods. 

 It is nitrogenous and is readily eaten when cut 

 fine in a fodder-cutter. If clover is frequently 

 mowed, a good quality of green food may be obtained 

 nearly all summer, particularly in seasons of abun- 

 dant rainfall. Should the supply of clover be limited, 

 or the season prove an unusually dry one, other 

 legumes may provide a satisfactory substitute. 

 Alfalfa will answer the purpose well if fed to the 

 fowls in a fresh condition. A small plot, if well 

 established, will afford a great quantity of green 

 food if it is frequently mowed. Young alfalfa is 

 tender and is relished by the fowls, but when it 

 approaches the blossoming stage it becomes more 

 woody and is not so valuable. Canada field peas 

 are sometimes grown for this purpose, and the 

 peas, if fed whole while in a tender and crisp 

 condition, are eaten readily by the fowls. 



