No. 4.] GRASSES AND FORAGE CROPS. 207 



is a tendenc} r to grow too many kinds in one mixture, with- 

 out regard to the time of blossoming of each. In growing 

 grasses for hay only kinds which bloom within ten days of 

 each other should be grown together. 



Fourth. — In making grass-seed mixtures for pastures, 

 kinds should be selected which will produce a close, com- 

 pact turf, and give a variety of forage throughout the sea- 

 son. A considerable number of kinds may be wisely grown 

 together on all pasture lands. 



Fifth. — Hay, to be of highest value for feeding dairy 

 stock should be harvested early. Late-cut hay is not only 

 less palatable and less digestible, but requires extra labor 

 on the part of the animal to make the food nutrients availa- 

 ble. The extra energy used in the work of digesting 

 tough, woody fodders lessens the available energy for build- 

 ing up animal products. 



Sixth. — Great improvement in the grass crop is possible 

 by the liberal use of nitrogenous manures and fertilizers. 

 Nitrogen especially favors the growth of the true grasses. 

 Not only can the yields be markedly increased by its use, 

 but the composition, and consequently the feeding value, is 

 considerable enhanced. In some recent experiments, by 

 the liberal use of nitrogen in the fertilizer, the percentage 

 of protein has been increased two to four per cent over that 

 obtained where no nitrogen was used. 



Seventh. — Owing to the high market value of hay in 

 many localities, substitutes, mainly in the form of annual 

 fodder crops, can be more economically used in feeding- 

 dairy stock. Doubtless the best of these crops for Massa- 

 chusetts conditions is corn fodder, — especially when grown 

 to be used as silage. Other fodder crops of high value are 

 oats and peas, the millets, Hungarian grass, alfalfa, barley 

 and peas, and soy beans. 



The Chairman. There is now an opportunity for ques- 

 tions. 



Professor Brooks. Professor Phelps will agree with me 

 that a person in one locality cannot estimate the value of a 

 forage crop of any sort for another locality ; and it seems 

 to me, £s I have worked in this locality, that it is well for 



