QQ AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION. [Jan. 



an inferior class of fodder plants and weeds, if at all fit for a more 

 thorough system of cultivation, ought to be turned by the plough 

 and subsequently planted with some hoed crop, to kill off the foul 

 growth and to improve the physical and chemical condition of the 

 soil. Suchlands j)rove in many instances ultimately afar better in- 

 vestment when used for the raising of other fodder crops than grasses. 



The less the variety of crops raised in succession upon the same 

 lands, the more one-sided is usually^ the exhaustion of the soil, and 

 the sooner, as a rule, will be noticed a decrease in their annual 

 yield. The introduction of a greater variety of fodder plants 

 enables us to meet better the differences in local conditions of cli- 

 mate and of soil, as well as the special wants of different branches 

 of farm industry. In choosing plants for that purpose, it seems 

 advisable to select crops which would advantageously supplement 

 our leading fodder crop (aside from the products of pastures and 

 meadows) , the fodder corn and corn stover. 



Taking this view of the question, the great and valuable family 

 of leguminous plants, as clovers, vetches, lucerne, serradella, peas, 

 beans, lupmes, etc., is in a particular degree well qualified for that 

 purpose. They deserve also a decided recommendation in the 

 interest of a wider range for the introduction of economical systems 

 of rotation of crops, under various conditions of soil and different 

 requirements of markets. Most of these fodder plants have an 

 extensive root system, and for this reason largely draw their plant 

 food from the lower portion of the soil. The amount of stubble 

 and roots they leave behind after the crop has been harvested is 

 exceptionally large, and decidedly improves both the physical and 

 chemical condition of the soil. The lands are subsequently better 

 fitted for the production of shallow growing crops, as grains, etc. 

 Large productions of fodder crops assist in the economical raising 

 of general farm crops ; although the area devoted to cultivation is 

 reduced, the total yield of the land is usually more satisfactory. 



Believing in the soundness of the al)ove-8tated views, it 

 has been for years a special task of our work at the station 

 to investigate upon our farm lands the comparative merits, if 

 any, of a variety of fodder phmts new to our locality and of a 

 fair reputation elsewhere, as may have been noticed in our 

 annual report. From among tliose fodder plants which 

 showed a fair degree of adaptation to our soil and climate 

 we have selected for several years past a few for cultivation 

 on a large scale, to increase our fodder supply during the 

 summer and winter season, either as green fodder or in the 

 form of ensilage and hay. 



