488 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



4. Experiments with the Cultivation of Fodder Crops to 

 FURNISH A Continuous Supply of Suitable Green Fod- 

 der FOR Dairy Stock during the Summer Season. 



[Field C] 



The experiment was planned chiefly for the purpose of ascer- 

 taining the area required for the cultivation of each of the follow- 

 ing crops, oats, vetch, serradella and Southern cow-pea, when 

 serving in the stated succession as green fodder for the support 

 of a definite number of milch cows, from the beginning of July: to 

 the middle of September. These crops, which have been already 

 described more or less in detail in previous reports, were noticed 

 to attain upon our grounds a suitable state of growth for feeding 

 purposes at such succeeding periods of the season as promised 

 to meet the requirements of the object in view. The feeding of 

 each crop began when it had reached the stage of blooming, and 

 it was discontinued when it approached its maturity. Some 

 coarse, dry fodder, consisting mainly of hay of oats cut the 

 previous year, was fed with the green fodder, to regulate its 

 action on the digestive organs. 



The practice of raising a greater variety of valuable crops, 

 like those previously stated, for green fodder deserves the 

 serious consideration of farmers engaged in the dairy business ; 

 for it secures a liberal supply of healthy, nutritious fodder at a 

 time when hay becomes scarce and costly, and when it would 

 be still a wasteful practice to feed an imperfectly matured green 

 fodder-corn. The frequently limited area of land fit for a re- 

 munerative production of grasses, and the not less recognized 

 exhausted condition of a large proportion of natural pastures, 

 makes it but judicious to consider seriously the means which 

 promise not only to increase, but also to cheapen, the products 

 of the dairy. A liberal introduction of reputed fodder crops 

 into farm operations has everywhere in various directions pro- 

 moted the success of agricultural industry. The field assigned 

 for the raising of oats, vetch and Southern cow-peas was 240 

 feet long and 90 feet wide ; it was divided into three equal 

 parts, each 30 feet wide and 240 feet long. The serradella 

 covered an area 85 feet long and 56 feet wide. The soil 



