94 How THE FARM PAYS. 



barn, or in stacks in the field, putting about eight or ten two-horse 

 loads in a stack, where it remains for winter use. In the winter the 

 fodder is carted to the barn, run through the cutter and mixed with 

 such other feeds as will be hereafter stated. 



Q. How does the weight of this crop compare with clover cut and 

 dried at the same date ? 



A. I had a field of ten acres of peas and oats which produced forty 

 tons of well cured fodder. Although the conditions were not so favor- 

 able, the weight of the peas and oats exceeded that of the average 

 yield of clover fifty per cent. The land which I sowed with peas 

 and oats was not so fertile as the clover land, because the former 

 crop does not require so much manure, as the land is manured 

 heavily, after the crop is harvested, for a succeeding crop of fodder 

 corn or turnips. 



Q. Then would you consider the hay of peas and oats is worth as 

 much, ton for ton, as clover hay? 



A. I consider it worth one-half more than clover, for, while 

 clover hay is worth from $8 to $10 per ton, I would pay $15 per ton 

 for hay of peas and oats. I prefer it for either cattle or horses. There 

 is no other feed that you can give to a farm horse that will carry him 

 through the spring better than peas and oats, as this fodder is ex- 

 ceedingly nutritious. 



Q. Why, then, is a crop that is only three months in the ground 

 and that can be grown on poor soil, and which you say is superior 

 to clover hay, not more generally cultivated ? 



A. It is a crop that was almost unknown in this country until 

 within a few years past, although I have been growing it here for 

 twenty years ; but you know how slowly the average farmer takes 

 to a new crop, and further, it must be sown very early or it 

 will not succeed so well, and farmers as a rule do not get their 

 crops in early enough. I am glad, however, to say that the use 

 of peas to mix with oats for this purpose is increasing very 

 rapidly, and the crop will soon be popular. Last season the 

 demand was far greater than could be supplied. Our climate has 

 peculiar advantages for such a crop. It takes the place completely 

 of the tare or vetch so much used in Europe, our dry, bright 

 weather in July being peculiarly suited to cure and make of it a 

 sweet hay crop. The varieties used are the Canada gray pea, and the 

 black eye marrowfat for the second crop. 



Q. What is the best stage for cutting peas and oats for hay ? 



A. I cut for hay while the grain of the oats is in the milky state ; at 

 that time the peas are just passing the blossom and in their best 

 stage for cutting. 



