171 SOILING OF CATTLE. 



and from the pastures, is saved ; the working horses and 

 oxen are always at hand ; and, what is of no small im- 

 ])urtance, when the cattle are housed the growing crops 

 are in more safety. 



The only ofiset to all these advantages is the labour 

 of raising and cutting the food, and feeding and taking 

 care of the stock. 



The crops necessary for soiling, may be r3^e (sown 

 the preceding year) oats, barley, millet, (this has been 

 cultivated to advantage in this State the present year) 

 Indian corn, sown broadcast, clover and various grasses ; 

 besides cabbages and roots, so arranged as to have a 

 succession of succulent food through the season. Any 

 sorts of grain sown to produce fodder for soiling, after 

 being harrowed in, should be rolled, to make the ground 

 smooth for mowing. If the soil be rich and the surface 

 smooth, the grass may be cut when only three or 

 ibur inches high, and will then yield a good swarth. 

 Such ground well set with the grasses usually cul- 

 tivated and inclined to moisture, may in this man- 

 ner be mown three or four times in a season. The cut- 

 ting of the rye, oats, barley and millet should commence 

 as soon as they will yield a good swarth, and be finish- 

 ed before they have passed the flowering stnte. If 

 mown before they flower, they will shoot again ; and if 

 the growth be rich, yield second crops, 



Indian corn will be well grown for soiling by the 10th 

 or 15th of July : and will continue green, and in full sap 

 until the last of August. And in order to continue a 

 supply of the rich, green food — to which probably no 

 other vegetable of our countr}'' is equal, especially for 

 milch cows — pieces of land may be planted or sown in 

 succession, so that some may be in full sap to the last 

 of September. 



Rich mowing land will furnish a second and third 

 crop, of green fodder that will answer to the middle or 

 iast of October. Perhaps hie sown oats, hardier plants 

 than, Indian corn, may supply the place of gras«?. Pump- 

 kiltps, also, during this month and the next, will furnish a 

 riu»st valuable food. To these may be added the tops 

 of. winter vegeiablcs, such as carrots, turnips, &,c. which 

 will be useful till the middle of November. Mr. Quincy 

 has been abie to support I'O head of cattle, from the 

 \hi\i of October to the middle or latter end of Novcm- 



