86 How THE FARM PAYS. 



As the question of fodder for soiling is now one of vast importance 

 to the breeder of fine stock, to the dairyman, and last, but not least, 

 to him who feeds his farm, we will endeavor to give as briefly as 

 possible the methods of culture of all the kinds in use. 



RYE. 



Where this crop is intended for soiling early in the spring, it should 

 be sown the latter part of August or early in September, on very rich 

 land. The ground should be thoroughly plowed and harrowed, but 

 it is better not to use much coarse manure, as it has a tendency to 

 make the crop grow soft and rank. I sow for soiling two bushels of 

 seed per acre, as the ground is not intended to be seeded down. 

 This will be fit to commence cutting by the 10th of May, before it 

 heads out, and can be cut, if desired, a second time, giving a fair crop. 

 I think an acre of good heavy rye will feed twenty cows for one week 

 at least, but great care must be taken not to give a full feed at first. 

 My plan is to run it through the cutter and mix it with dry hay or 

 good wheat straw also cut, as this prevents any injurious effect upon 

 the bowels, it being just the season when animals are changing their 

 coats, as every animal in perfect health does at this time. As a feed 

 for milch cows it produces purer milk or fat than any other soiling 

 plant I know of, when fed before the blossom is formed; if fed later 

 it has been thought injurious to the butter, but I never feed it so late 

 as that. Its earliness, coming in at that season between hay and 

 grass, makes it very valuable. Bye may be sown in succession up to 

 November, or December even, increasing the quantity of seed sown, 

 as the time is later. The last sowing may be made any time before 

 the ground is frozen, using four or five bushels per acre. In this 

 case the seed does not sprout until spring, and makes a spring crop, 

 but one that is sown much earlier than would be possible any 

 other way. 



LUCERN. 



Q. You say that the next crop that you use for soiling, to follow 

 after rye, is Lucern, or Alfalfa, as it is sometimes called. You gave 

 me some data a few months ago, which I have used in a rather 

 exhaustive article on that subject, which we will insert here, after 

 you have briefly given your own method of culture. 



(Mr. C. ) The land selected for Lucern should be a rich, deep, 

 sandy or gravelly loam, where there is no fear of water standing. 



