980 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK x. 



Hungarian Forage Grass, Lucerne, Alsike, and Giant Hybrid Cow 

 Clover. All these are strong-growing plants, capable of producing 

 great bulks for the scythe during the first few years after sowing, and 

 they make silage of the finest quality. 



Italian Rye Grass is so extensively grown, and its importance is so 

 well understood, that here it need only be said that there are two sea- 

 sons of sowing spring and autumn. But we must protest against the 

 custom of some graziers in allowing the plant to become too old before 

 it is cut for hay or silage. 



On poor land, where little else flourishes, Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis 

 vulneraria, nat. ord. Leguminosse) will suppty a heavy crop suitable foi 

 hay or the silo. 



Lucerne will not thrive on all soils, but in every case where it will 

 grow a fair crop it is worth attention. It is a very deep-rooted perennial, 

 and will stand for several years. The strength of the plant depends on 

 the accessibility of lime, for which it will send down roots to an astonish- 

 ing distance, and it then becomes practically independent of rain for a 

 long period. It may be grown in the company of Tall Fescue, which 

 is also a deep-rooted plant. The combined crop must be cut young, 

 and will yield two or three cuttings of excellent quality in each season. 



Maize and Sorghum both members of the natural order Gra- 

 minese are properly denominated " Giant Forage Plants." They 

 develop rapidly, and they thrive most and are of the highest value in 

 dry, burning seasons that put other green crops hors de combat. A 

 plot of either or both of these plants is likely in a hot summer to prove 

 of such service that it is well worth while to grow them regularly, 

 although there may be no urgent need for them more than once in three 

 or four years. It augments their value that they must be sown so late 

 as June, by which time the fate of the early Turnips can be pretty 

 accurately determined. Both plants make good silage, and can be 

 utilised for this purpose in seasons when other crops yield a sufficiency 

 of green food. 



Mustard and Rape form part of the routine on most farms. 



The demand for Trifolium or Crimson Clover, varies extremely with 

 different seasons. It is a plant, however, that should never be over- 

 looked, both on account of the economy of its culture, and for its great 

 usefulness in early summer. An extra late variety, now cultivated, 

 materially extends the time of cutting. 



Root crops scarcely fall within the scope of the present subject. But 

 there is an important application of the Turnip which is far too little 

 practised, and which brings it within the category of green crops. By 

 sowing late in August or early in September, and allowing the plants 

 to stand thickly on the ground, there will, in spring, be an abundant 

 growth of wholesome green food, admirably adapted for folding sheep. 

 The plant requires no hoeing, and is therefore most economical as 

 regards labour, and there need be little apprehension of injury by frost, 

 for the plants will protect one another. 



