1886.] PUBLIC DOCUMENT — No. 33. 61 



IV. 



Observations Concerning the Adaptation of some 

 Prominent Fodder Crops new to our Section of 

 THE Country. 



In preceding reports has already been urged the desir- 

 ability of introducing into our agricultural industry a greater 

 variety of fodder plants, to supplement and increase the 

 products of pastures and meadows, and of the corn in its 

 various forms as a fodder article. 



The great interest so generally manifested in later years 

 in the products of the silo is but a strong expression in 

 favor of the view taken in this matter. Every progressive 

 farmer deprecates the present condition of our fodder suppny, 

 as fiir as an economical support of a fair proportion of live 

 stock, in the interest of a remunerative farm management, is 

 concerned. Whether this result can be obtained in a satis- 

 factory manner by increasing the production of one crop, 

 although the most promising one in our section, is open to 

 grave doubts. To raise corn for the silo has, no doubt, 

 in many instances afibrded a temporary relief, and thus not 

 infrequently proved a valuable helpmate in compounding 

 an economical diet for cattle. 



" Considering, in a mixed farm management, merely the 

 temporary crop-producing fitness of the soil under cultiva- 

 tion, much may be said in favor of the endeavor to increase 

 the area devoted to the production of corn fodder, and to 

 preserve the product in a palatable condition for cattle feed, 

 if thought best ; for the Indian corn stands in the front rank 

 of our fodder plants, as far as the annual production of vege- 

 table matter is concerned. 



Quite different, however, must be our judgment, when we 

 consider the serious consequences of a too frequent raising 

 of the same crop upon the same soil, on the future product- 

 iveness of the latter ; or when we keep in mind the fact that 

 neither corn, nor any other agricultural plant, furnishes a 

 complete article of fodder in all cases. 



True economy in farm practice requires that we should 

 cultivate our farm crops in such an order of succession that 



