FORAGE CROPS 115 



The forage producing region. The most important 

 forage producing region of the United States is found in 

 the north central states, reaching from Michigan and Ohio 

 on the east to Kansas and Nebraska on the west. The last 

 federal census shows the percentage of forage crops of the 

 United States produced by each of the states of this region 

 as follows : 



8.05% 



Uses of grasses and legumes. Grasses and legumes 

 have two principal uses : ( 1 ) they supply the most impor- 

 tant part of the food of farm animals, and (2) they aid in 

 building up the soil, making it productive for other crops. 

 They are also serviceable in saving the soil from washing 

 and blowing. 



A great proportion of our cattle, horses, sheep and 

 hogs are raised with forage as their chief food. Where 

 good pasturage is available, little or no grain is fed to grow- 

 ing stock, and often none even to milk cows. And when 

 grain is used to fatten stock, or to give strength, as in the 

 case of work horses, forage is required to supply the vol- 

 atile oils as well as bulk and coarseness necessary to diges- 

 tion. 



Both grasses and legumes tend to improve the soil. 



