No. 4.] GRASSES AND FORAGE CROPS. 197 



our dairy herds during the winter season. There are other 

 crops that can be used in the silo, but none which ;ire better 

 suited for preservation in this form than corn. Its advan- 

 tages are : (1) in the large amount of food nutrients which 

 can be produced per acre ; (2) in the readiness with which 

 the material can be preserved in the silo, with comparatively 

 little loss; and (3) the adaptability of the crop to nearly 

 all parts of New England. Experience has shown that the 

 first advocates of the silo had many visionary theories re- 

 garding its advantages. Many of these theories experiments 

 and practical experience have completely overturned. We 

 realize to-day that we can get no more out of the silo than we 

 put into it. In fact, we realize that we must get less ; that, 

 instead of the material having a greater value when it comes 

 out than when put in, there are constant losses in the food 

 nutrients during the ensilaging process. We have learned • 

 that, just as corn fodder from partially grown or immature 

 corn, when fed green, has very little feeding value, so the 

 same corn when taken from the silo has a low feeding value. 

 Well-matured corn fodder, with most of the corn hard and 

 ready to husk, is in the best condition for storing in the 

 silo. In order to get the proper degree of maturity, care 

 should be taken to select varieties which are well suited to 

 the climate, and to choose those kinds which will give a 

 large proportion of grain, rather than an immense growth 

 of stalks and leaves. 



Oats and Peas. — Oats have long been grown and highly 

 appreciated as a forage crop. In recent years we have 

 learned that a mixture of oats and peas will furnish a better 

 quality of fodder. Fully as large if not larger yields may 

 be obtained from, the mixed forage, while the feeding value 

 is much higher than that of oats alone. The crop should 

 be sown as early in the spring as it is possible to plough 

 and prepare the soil thoroughly. Two bushels of oats with 

 one bushel of the Canada field peas makes a good propor- 

 tion. The peas should be ploughed under about a week 

 before the oats are sown. By sowing in this way, both will 

 grow and develop about together. The crop may be used 

 either for feeding green or may be made into hay for winter 

 feeding. 



