FOOD FROM PASTURES 317 



winter rye is sown for pasture in the autumn, it is possible 

 to obtain some kind of a crop after the rye the following 

 season. 



The practice of sowing winter rye in the spring to pro 

 vide grazing is not to be commended, but it is admissible 

 when the seeds of the grasses and clovers are sown at the 

 same time with a view to prolong the grazing. Winter rye 

 may be grazed by horses, mules, cattle of all kinds and ages, 

 and sheep and swine. It is made to supply pasture to a much 

 greater extent than any other cereal when this is short from 

 other sources. 



Although rye is frequently grazed in the autumn, the 

 results are variable. -In some instances close autumn graz- 

 ing tends to weaken growth in the spring ; in others, it does 

 not seem to harm it. The difference may arise from a dif- 

 ference in winter temperatures. When sown very early, it is 

 safer to pasture the rye in the fall. When sown later, but 

 not in time to make too advanced a growth in the autumn, 

 more grazing will usually be obtained in the spring, if the 

 rye is not grazed in the fall. 



Grazing in the spring should begin as soon as growth 

 has really started. The aim should be to graze the rye some- 

 what closely, for if the plants are allowed to form heads, the 

 grazing becomes woody and distasteful to live stock. Rye 

 will furnish grazing for a much longer period when eaten 

 closely than if not so grazed. In many instances the crop 

 is grazed for a time in the spring, and the stock are then 

 removed so as to allow the plants to mature a crop. Good 

 crops of grain are thus frequently obtained when the graz- 

 ing is not carried too far. 



When cows in milk are grazed on winter rye and the 

 grazing is abundant, the milk will be possessed of an odor 

 and taste more or less offensive. This may be avoided by 

 only allowing cows to graze on the rye for a short period 

 after the time for milking. Owing to the succulence of 

 young rye and to its tendency to relax the bowels, it is a 

 good plan to feed more or less of grain, when practicable, 



