FOOD FROM PASTURES 315 



popularity. Rape sown along with the corn at the last 

 cultivation given to it improves the grazing. 



Pasture from the small cereals. Pasture is frequently 

 obtained from the small cereals sown singly or in combina- 

 tion. Of these winter rye is more commonly sown alone, 

 and because of its importance in grazing will be discussed 

 separately. In some instances winter wheat is grazed in 

 the winter season with benefit to both the stock and wheat. 

 Such crops as winter vetches may also be sown alone in the 

 early autumn to provide early spring grazing for all classes 

 of farm stock. But such grazing, even under favorable con- 

 ditions, must be conducted with a prudent caution or the 

 grazing may injure the grain. On stiff clays it cannot be 

 done at all. The same is true of the grazing of spring-sown 

 crops by sheep in the spring on the northwestern prairies. 

 In seasons unusually favorable to growth, such grazing 

 benefits the crop but if it is continued too long it will lessen 

 yields. 



On the western and northwestern prairies spring grains 

 are sometimes sown in combination to provide grazing when 

 grass pastures are not available. The choice of varieties 

 may depend somewhat on relative cheapness. A mixture, 

 however, provides more grazing than a single grain, and 

 also tends more or less to prolong the grazing. These 

 grains sown thickly and in the usual way, are ready to 

 graze as soon as the grazing is abundant. Such pastures 

 have highest adaptation for milk production, owing to 

 their succulence. They should be grazed so closely that no 

 stems can be formed, otherwise the grazing will be lessened 

 and also the palatability. Sowing the seeds of grasses and 

 clovers with these mixtures still farther prolongs the graz- 

 ing. 



Pastures may be grown from the small cereals for sheep 

 singly or in combination, and in a succession that may be 

 made to -cover the entire season of growth. When sown 

 alone these pastures may consist of winter rye, winter 

 vetches and winter oats where the winters are not too 



