156 DOMESTIC ANIMALS, DAIRYING, ETC. 



upon the length of time for which the crop from, one seeding may 

 profitably be fed, and upon the number and value of the crops which 

 may be substituted one for the other at any one period of the soiling 

 season. 



Growing and Harvesting Different Crops. This crop should be 

 sown in the latter part of August or the first of September, so that it 

 may get a good stand and cover the ground well before winter. In 

 case the growth is too luxuriant, it may be made to supply an excel- 

 lent pasture for calves, sheep, or even cows for some weeks in the 

 autumn. The land should be well worked up and a good seed-bed 

 prepared for seeding. In the several trials made three bushels of 

 seed per acre has been used, as it has been found that thick seeding 

 produces a much finer growth of the stems of the plants which ren- 

 ders it more palatable for the cows. This feed is not greatly relished 

 by the cows as a rule, since it comes at a season of the year when they 

 have just turned to pasture in the spring. If pasturage is late and 

 scant, however, as it frequently is, this crop will be of much service 

 in keeping up the milk flow after the silage is gone. 



Alfalfa. This plant is an excellent one for soiling purposes on 

 account of the rapidity with which it grows and the number of cut- 

 tings and large yields that may be obtained. It is ready for soiling 

 from ten to fifteen days earlier in the spring than any other crop 

 that may be grown except rye. The seeding should be done quite 

 early in the spring, using at the rate of twenty pounds of seed per 

 acre and covering it well with a harrow. It is only fair in palatabil- 

 ity but when eaten freely it is considered an excellent feed for milk 

 production. The second crop is usually about forty days after the 

 first has been removed and this appears to 'be more palatable than 

 the first cutting. One-half acre was seeded with this crop on April 

 20, 1903, and made a very rapid growth. On July 3rd the crop was 

 cut just as it was beginning to bloom and 1,260 pounds of hay was 

 secured. A second cutting of about the same amount was made 

 August 15th. 



Red Clover. This does not give so large a yield as some of the 

 annuals, but entails less labor and is not as bulky a feed as some of 

 the more succulent crops. Its culture is too well known to need de- 

 scription. Nearly every farmer grows it and by referring to the table 

 of yields one may readily appreciate its value for soiling. 



Peas and Oats. This crop is very popular in many sections of 

 the East for soiling purposes, but has not been entirely satisfactory 

 with us owing to the difficulty of getting a stand of peas. The ordi- 

 nary Canada field pea does not seem to be relished by dairy cows and 

 the variety known as the Spanish grass pea is recommended for trial. 

 The ground for this crop is best prepared by thorough discing fall- 

 plowed land as early as it can be done in the spring and seeding at 

 the rate of one and a half bushels of oats and a bushel of peas per 

 acre, which may be sown deeply with an ordinary grain drill. Better 

 satisfaction, however, will be obtained by sowing the peas broadcast 

 and discing them in five or six days before the oats ; the latter should 

 be sown broadcast and harrowed in with a light harrow. Care should 



