CHAP. IT. GREEN CROPS ALL THE YEAR ROUND. 979 



positse). This plant has been recommended as a substitute for, or at 

 any rate as an auxiliary to, the potato crop. It is one of the hardiest 

 roots we have, as well as one of the most productive ; it will grow on 

 almost any soil, in almost any situation, with little or no manure, and 

 is comparatively free from disease. It is propagated much in the same 

 way as potatoes, from " sets v or eyes. The great objection to it is 

 the difficulty of getting rid of it from land in which it has once been 

 sown. It is relished by all live. stock, especially when cooked ; for pig 

 feeding it is particularly valuable, and for milch cows, it has a capital 

 effect upon the flow of milk, and if like turnips given after, not before 

 the milking, imparts no unpleasant flavour to the milk. Moreover the 

 flavour, if any there be, is decidedly more pleasant than that of the 

 Swedish turnip. 



GREEN CROPS ALL THE YEAR ROUND. This chapter may be appro- 

 priately closed by a few hints as to the providing of a succession of 

 green food throughout the year, an excellent and practical idea which 

 was first formulated by Messrs. Sutton & Sons, of Reading, to whom we 

 are indebted for most of the illustrations in this chapter. 



The interest in green crops varies with the character of the season. 

 In burning summers, an abundant supply of nutritious green food is of 

 almost priceless value where there are large flocks and herds. In 

 dripping seasons the green crops are scarcely wanted. They may even 

 be regarded as superfluous, and possibly worthless. But while we are 

 able to forecast with so little accuracy the weather of to-morrow it is 

 surely prudent to prepare for contingencies, and with a little foresight 

 and management there need be no waste at all, for every load of green- 

 stuff not wanted when ready may be treasured for future use by means 

 of the Silo. In the strict sense Silage is not a green food, but it answers 

 the purpose of green food when a fresh-cut crop is not available. Wet 

 seasons afford opportunity for making stacks and filling silos. Burn- 

 ing summer days and periods of hard frost demonstrate the value of 

 such a provision. 



The Hungarian Forage Grass (Broinus inermis) derives peculiar 

 value from its very early growth in spring, when a bite of green food is 

 particularly valuable for folding sheep. The first crop may also be 

 cut for soiling, and later, if necessary, it can be turned into summer 

 silage. 



Cabbage is the most important of all our green crops. It will grow on 

 almost any soil, and endures extremes of heat and cold with compara- 

 tive indifference. By the judicious choice of varieties, and by sowing 

 at different periods of the year, it is not difficult to insure a continuous 

 supply for almost the entire cycle of the seasons. 



The value of Grass and Clover leys has yet to be fully understood 

 and appreciated. Leys can be used for making hay, for grazing, for 

 cutting as green food, and also for the production of silage. To obtain the 

 benefit of the crop for the last-named purpose it is necessary to sow a 

 mixture which should be adapted to remain down for three or four years. 

 It may include Cocksfoot, Timothy, Tall Fescue, Perennial Rye Grass, 



3 R 2 



