2 . t . FORAGE, PLANTS AND THEIR CULTURE 



these are the grain sorghums, penicillaria, foxtail millet 

 and prosq or broom-corn millet. The distinction between 

 cereals and forage crops in such cases is arbitrary. Such 

 a plant is a cereal when grown primarily for the grain, 

 and a forage when grown primarily for the herbage. 



Fodder (German f utter) really means the same as feed. 

 In the United States the term is used mainly in reference 

 to corn cut before the plant is fully mature, and from 

 which the ears are not removed. The stems and leaves 

 when dried and after the ears are removed is called stover. 

 In the Southern States the term fodder is applied to the 

 dried leaves and tops of the corn plant, removed while 

 green, and before the ears are fully mature. 



The terms fodder and stover are also used in connec- 

 tion with the sorghums and similar coarse grasses. 



Hay consists of the entire dried herbage of compara- 

 tively fine-stemmed grasses or other forage plants. It is 

 commonly dried or cured in the sun, but artificial drying 

 apparatus has been used. The process of curing is not 

 merely one of drying, as grass dried quickly with artificial 

 heat is quite different from that cured with relative 

 slowness. Under the latter conditions fermentative 

 changes take place, due mainly to enzymes, which give 

 freshly cured hay a characteristic aroma varying with the 

 plant used. This odor is much less evident in plants 

 quickly dried. 



Brown hay is prepared by stacking grass or clover when 

 only half cured, on account of which it undergoes fer- 

 mentation with heating. The product is brown and 

 compact. Brown hay is commonly prepared in regions 

 where on account of climatic conditions dry curing is 

 difficult. It is somewhat intermediate between hay and 

 silage in quality. 



