GENERAL REMARKS ON FORAGE GRASSES IJ 



sown for the purpose. The grains, corn, sorghum, Japan 

 clover, crimson clover, soy (soja) beans, cowpeas, velvet 

 beans, Canada field peas, vetches, rape, turnips, and 

 some other annuals are used for temporary or annual 

 pasture. Perennial grasses are also used for pasture 

 during a single season, but detailed discussion will be 

 deferred and taken up under the permanent pasture 

 plants. The use of perennials for pasture during a single 

 season depends upon the balance of cost of production 

 and the value of the product. Under the modern system 

 of intensive crop production in connection with dairying 

 and other forms of animal industry, it may be an ad- 

 vantage to grow a perennial grass like timothy for the 

 pasture crop of the first year. The yield may be larger 

 the first year than in succeeding years. The larger yield 

 and the desirability of a rotation of crops may determine 

 the use of perennials for temporary pasture. Italian and 

 English ryegrasses, being quick-growing species, are used 

 for winter pasture in the South. 



The annual plants most commonly used primarily for 

 pasture are rye among the grasses, and rape and turnips 

 among the cruciferous plants (mustard family). Japan 

 clover is a common pasture plant in the south, but though 

 an annual, is usually treated as a perennial, that is, it is 

 not resown each year but reseeds itself spontaneously. 

 The cowpea and velvet bean, annual legumes much 

 grown in the Middle and Southern States for green feed, 

 cover crops, and hay, are to an increasing extent, also 

 utilized for grazing. 



An important drawback to the use of annual plants for 

 pasture is the large percentage of waste due to trampling. 



