158 Soiling. 



First cutting hay, 816 Ib. ; second cutting hay, 805 Ib. ; third cut- 

 ting hay, 743 Ib.; fourth cutting estimated, 180 Ib. ; a total for one- 

 fifth acre of 2,544 Ib-, or 12,720 Ib. per acre, or six and a half tons 

 of good dry forage. 



" What plant can we grow that will, without special 

 care, give greater or even equal returns of good pal- 

 atable forage? 



" It has succeeded in Southern California and 

 Mexico, where it has been a godsend to those people 

 who needed some permanent and reliable forage 

 plant that could withstand prolonged heat and 

 drought. It goes to a great depth in search of 

 moisture. Roots have been known to reach the 

 depth of twenty feet or over. It is a very nitro- 

 genous plant, collecting, it is believed, the nitrogen 

 of the soil through a bacteria that works at the roots, 

 and is ever present in the soil. It is, therefore, a 

 great renovator of the soil, and a great accumulator 

 of the most desirable, most expensive plant food, 

 nitrogen. 



" Sown as early as possible after frost. Land 

 should be in excellent condition. Fifteen to twenty 

 pounds of good, fresh seed per acre. That of the 

 previous year's growth should always be obtained if 

 possible. Sow in drills or broadcast. Never sow 

 with another crop expecting good results, or with a 

 very small amount of grain, one-half to one-fourth 

 bushel of oats or rye or wheat per acre. Cut early 

 together with all weeds. 



" Keep stock off the field during the first year and 

 first part of the second year. If conditions are fa- 



