SILAGE RATIONS 29 



fact that many of the crops that are suitable for 

 soiling belong to the legume family, which are 

 relatively richer in nitrogenous substance than the 

 cereals; and, because these legumes do not need 

 nitrogenous manuring, they may be more cheaply 

 raised than others. It frequently happens, also, 

 that many of the cereal crops, when in a fit con- 

 dition for soiling, are more highly nitrogenous 

 than when approaching maturity; and a larger 

 use of this nitrogenous food would probably be 

 quite as economical as if smaller quantities were 

 used and carbohydrates purchased. Hence, in 

 soiling systems, the observation of those laws 

 which are frequently very potent in regulating 

 the cost of nutrients per unit of product when 

 dried foods are exclusively used, may be in part 

 ignored. 



A soiling system properly conducted requires a 

 large number of crops, varying widely in their 

 proportion of nitrogenous and non- nitrogenous 

 nutrients. The land must be kept occupied; and a 

 proper and self-sustaining rotation usually includes 

 leguminous plants in order to maintain or increase 

 the productiveness of the farm. If the feeder 

 thinks that with every change of forage he would 

 be required to change his feed ration, he might be 

 deterred from adopting the system; but, as has 

 already been pointed out, this change would not 

 necessarily be required. 



