coarse fodders of the cultivated fields, and is consequently more ten- 

 der and digestible, (c) It probably has a more desirable flavor, the 

 animals seeming to prefer it to the fodders and grass nearer maturity. 



If the cereal fodders and grasses were cut when two or three inches 

 high they would have fully as much, or even more protein, and be 

 equally as digestible as the mixed pasture herbage ; as they con- 

 tinue in growth, however, the carbohydrates, including the fiber, 

 are developed to a greater extent than the protein, and they have a 

 wider nutritive ratio and a lesser degree of digestibility.' 



Unfortunately most pastures, owing to neglect 



Soiling a Substi- and continuous cropping, have become quite 



tute for inferior, and dairy animals depending upon 



Pasturage. them for their food supply are often obliged to 



travel over large areas, and even then do not 



secure sufficient food to keep them in good flesh, and to maintain 



the milk flow. The droughts, so likely to occur during the summer 



months, often render it necessary — if the herd is to be kept in a 



profitable condition — to furnish additional food, even should the 



pasture be usually satisfactory. Again, some dairymen do not have 



sufficient pasturage, while others, in the vicinity of large towns, have 



little or none. When, therefore, pasturage is not obtainable or only 



to a limited extent, it becomes necessary to supply other food to take 



its place, and frequently a system of partial or entire soiling is 



adopted. 



The chief objections to the growing of summer green crops are 

 the time and labor consumed in their production. It becomes necessary 

 to prepare numerous small pieces of land at frequent intervals, and 

 to cut and draw small quantities of fodder to the barn every two or 

 three days. Work of this character is time-consuming, and fre- 

 quently interferes with more extended farm operations. P"or this 

 reason some dairymen prefer to supplement pasturage with hay and 

 grain, believing it to be more economical. No definite rules can be 

 laid down to govern all cases. Each one will have to study his own 

 conditions and follow the system best suited to his particular needs. 

 The writer believes that animals should receive a portion of green 

 food during the growing season. If this portion can be secured 

 from pasturage he is inclined, from the standpoint of economy, to 



' Clover and other legumes, if cut in early bloom, contain fully as much protein and 

 are nearly as digestible as pasture grasses. 



