CHAPTER X 

 FORAGE CROPS 



What forage crops are. It may be that " forage " origi- 

 nally referred to those plants upon which animals fed in 

 the fields or pastures, but now it generally includes all plants 

 that furnish hay or rough feed as well as those used for graz- 

 ing or pasture. Small grains and corn are sometimes used for 

 forage, as, for example, straw of threshed grains; oats, barley 

 and rye when used as pasture or fed entire; and corn when 

 used as fodder, when shredded, or when used as silage. In 

 the discussion to follow, forage crops will be considered in 

 four groups; legumes, grasses, millets, and sorghums. 



Forage crops are necessary in any system of farming which 

 includes raising and feeding of animals. Fortunately there 

 is a great variety of such plants that are available for this 

 purpose. Some are adapted to one kind of climate, some to 

 another, so that the production of forage crops is possible 

 in most parts of the country. It remains for the farmer to 

 make his choice of the ones best adapted to his particular 

 region and system of farming. 



LEGUMES 



What legumes are. It has already been necessary to 

 refer to these plants several times in connection with soil 

 fertility. The word legume is a botanical term which refers 

 to plants that bear pods, such as peas and beans. Another 



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