168 CROPS FOR SEMI-ARID REGIONS. 



and three or four parts of corn or sorghum, they keep better 

 and make a more balanced feed than the corn or sorghum alone. 

 The cow peas may be planted in the same row with these crops 

 and gathered with a harvester or they may be planted alone and 

 mowed. In the latter case they should be mixed by placing the 

 cow peas or alfalfa on top of the corn while entering the silage 

 cutter. The cow peas may be foiked from an extra wagon, in any 

 desired proportion, usually one part to two, three or four parts 

 of corn or sorghum. Prof. Reed says that "it is very desirable 

 to put in the first crop of alfalfa in case it get rained on, but if 

 alfalfa can be put up for hay it will be worth more in that form 

 than in silage. Alfalfa hay has a market value and there is a 

 growing demand for same, and since the crops such as kafir, 

 sweet sorghum, and corn fodder have no market value, they 

 should best be made into silage instead. Alfalfa hay when put 

 in the silo alone will not keep for a great length of time. The 

 exact reason for this has not been determined. Alfalfa silage 

 that was in the silo for two years at the Kansas State Agri- 

 cultural College, became very dark, and when it came in con- 

 tact with the air had a very offensive odor. Cattle would eat a 

 little of it, but not enough to count it as a good feed. If it be- 

 comts necessary to put the first crop of alfalfa in the silo, ar- 

 rangements should be made to feed it out within a few months 

 after it is put up." 



The Canada field pea, so extensively grown in the San Luis 

 Valley of Colorado and in other sections of the southwest, shows 

 an analysis only slightly less than the cow pea, and it exceeds 

 corn silage in -ichness. The field pea, like alfalfa, should be 

 siloed when mature enough for hay, and should be finely cut and 

 thoroughly packed in the silo. 



The Spineless Cactus in the warrr arid regions of the South- 

 west is capable of very large yields. It is claimed that the leaves 

 or slabs as a fodder make superior beef and they are a good 

 food for milch cows; the cactus is very rich in sodium, potash 

 and magnesia, the principal salts found in milk. It is a green, 

 fresh and delicious stock food throughout the entire year. For 

 best results, it should be run through a feed cutter. Mr. Luther 

 Bui-bank used an "Ohio" cutter in demonstrating this cactus at 

 the California State Fair recently. 



