FIELD, ORCHARD, AND GARDEN CROPS 133 



By-products. All by-products on the farm, such as manure and 

 ashes, should be used so as to get their full value. Advantage 

 should be taken of processes to save material that formerly went 

 to waste, such as cotton seed and cornstalks. 



These matters may seem small, but they are important. All 

 waste, all unnecessary expense, are so many dollars and cents 

 deducted from the farmer's profit. Does he buy seed which he 

 could as well or better raise at home? The cost comes off his 

 profit. Does he hire incompetent laborers and so fail to get his 

 work done at the proper time in the proper way? The so-called 

 economy is an expense reducing his profits. Does he sleep late in 

 the morning and loaf in the afternoon when his crops need him ? 

 The indulgence makes a heavy deduction from his profits. 



Exercises are given in connection with the special crops which follow. 



FORAGE CROPS 



Uses of Forage Crops. As forage crops, we group those plants 

 which are used as green or dry feed for horses, cattle, sheep, and 

 other stock. These differ widely in growth and habits; they have 

 one quality in common, they produce luxuriant and succulent 

 leaves and stems. 



These forage plants are used in different ways. Sometimes 

 they are sowed on land to form pastures where stock can graze. 

 Sometimes they are fed as soiling crops, that is, they are cut and 

 fed green. Sometimes they are cut green, but instead of being fed 

 at once, they are put away in air-tight buildings, called sflos, to 

 furnish green feed in winter. This sflage, as it is called, is espe- 

 cially relished by dairy cattle. Sometimes the crop is allowed to 

 stand until nearly ripe, and then is cut and exposed to the air 

 and sun to dry so as to make hay. 



