CHAPTER VIII. 



THE COMMON CEREALS. 



Wheat, oats, rye and barley are included In the 

 term, common cereals. In the popular idea, peas 

 also are included, though not a cereal in the strictest 

 sense of the term. With the exception of rye, these 

 grains are seldom used singly in providing pasture. 

 But they are frequently grown in combination for 

 such a use. When thus grown, it is believed that 

 more pasture will be produced than could be obtained 

 by growing any one variety alone. This arises 

 mainly from a difference in the habit of the growth 

 of the plants of each variety, first, as to quickness 

 of growth, and, second, as to stooling properties. 

 For instance, if oats and barley are sown in com- 

 bination, the barley, because of its more rapid 

 growth, will furnish the bulk of the pasture during 

 the earlier grazing period, while the oats will furnish 

 the bulk of the same during the later grazing 

 period. And the oats will stool more than the 

 barley. Good grazing may be furnished, there- 

 fore, for a longer period by growing the two 

 in combination than by growing either singly. 

 The variety thus afforded is also advantageous, on 

 the principle that variety in grass pastures is 

 advantageous. 



Pastures from these grains will not be equally 

 serviceable in all parts of the United States. They 

 will be serviceable, first, in proportion as grasses 

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