CHAPTER XIV 



LEGUMES FOR FORAGE 



The cereal grains, forage from corn and the sorghums, and hay 

 from the smaller grasses are all low in protein compared with carbo- 

 hydrates and fat. Therefore, when only these crops are raised, the 

 stockman must purchase large amounts of expensive protein-rich con- 

 centrates to provide balanced rations for his stock. Fortunately, the 

 great group of legumes furnish bounteous crops of protein-rich, palat- 

 able roughage that greatly reduces the need for purchased concen- 

 trates. Indeed, for many classes of animals merely legume hay and 

 the farm-grown grains furnish a most satisfactory and well-balanced 

 ration. The high feeding value of the legumes is due not only to their 

 richness in protein, but also to the abundance of lime they contain. 

 Tho this is required in large amount by growing animals and those 

 which are pregnant or giving milk, it is low in the cereal grains and 

 present in only fair amount in forage from corn and the other grasses. 

 Equally important is the fact that the legumes are able to increase the 

 supply in the soil of nitrogen, the most expensive plant food. Their 

 abundant and systematic growth on every farm is thus necessary for 

 the economical maintenance of soil fertility. Due to these excellencies, 

 the legumes are the best crop allies of tlie stockman in reducing his 

 bills both for purchased feed and for commercial fertilizers. 



In considering the legumes it must be kept in mind that they flourish 

 and build up the nitrogen content of the soil only when the proper 

 nodule-forming bacteria are present. AVhere these nitrogen-fixing 

 bacteria are lacking in the soil, it is necessary that it be inoculated by 

 some means. 



I. Alfalfa 



Importance of alfalfa. — Tho alfalfa is especially adapted to the 

 semi-arid plains and the irrigated districts of the West, it can be 

 profitably grown in most districts of the United States where the soil 

 is deep, well-drained, and rich in lime. The acreage of alfalfa in this 

 country doubled from 1899 to 1909, and increased over eight-fold in 

 the states east of the Mississippi. The reason for this surprising 

 advance is revealed in the following table, which shows the average 

 yield per acre in 1909 thruout the United States of four of our most 

 important crops. 



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