FARM CROPS 99 



heaviest loss. Some cows of the herds run so low at the dry 

 pasture season that they cannot be brought back to their 

 normal flow when the fall rains come. They are often carried 

 into winter as mere strippers, at a dead loss to their owners. 



The farmer can lay out his fields and plan the seeding 

 so as to have some green feed to give the cows at any time 

 when the dry weather comes on. He cannot hope to have 

 such green forage ready at any time it is needed for the cows 

 unless he plans for it in advance. First, he should make a 

 list of the crops which would suit his purposes and his other 

 farm plans. Second, he should decide what areas of each of 

 these crops will be needed for the number of cows in the 

 herd, providing for plenty. If there is any left over it may 

 be used for hay or fodder. 



Soiling Crops. Here is a suggestive list: Wheat or rye 

 mixed with crimson clover or winter vetch, sown in the corn- 

 field in July, to be cut when the grain begins to head out or 

 when in full blossom. 



Oats and Canada field peas sown in early spring, to be cut 

 as the peas begin to blossom. 



Spring vetch with oats or barley, sown at the same time 

 as oats-and-peas or a little later. 



Crimson clover sown in corn in July or August, ready to 

 cut in May. 



Red clover sown last season may be fed green in June 

 if needed. 



Timothy and other grasses may be cut early and some 

 fed green to the cows. 



Alfalfa, where grown, will furnish green feed from May 

 to October. 



Millets sown in early June may be fed six or eight weeks 

 later as green forage. 



Cow peas or soy beans sown in June or July will supply 

 a long succession of green feed, at dates six to ten weeks from 

 the seeding time. 



