148 SUPPLYING GREEN FOODS 



obtained. The backyarder may also plant a small 

 bed of lettuce and replant as the season advances. 



In summer oats may be planted in place of the 

 lettuce. Oats grow very rapidly and the green 

 blades are excellent food. Rye is advisable for fall, 

 as it will keep green all winter. Rape sown not 

 quite so thick as oats or rye is very hardy, grows 

 rapidly, gives an abundance of succulent juices, and 

 is relished by the fowls. Summer is a good time to 

 plant this seed and it will supply green food for the 

 flock until late in the fall. 



Apples and tomatoes, those not fit for the market, 

 are also excellent feed; in fact, any fruit is relished 

 by the fowls. Onions and onion tops stimulate the 

 action of the liver and are healthy foods, but if fed 

 to excess have a tendency to affect the flavor of the 

 meat as well as the flavor of the eggs. Growing 

 chicks may be fed onions in any quantity and it will 

 do them considerable good. 



Cabbage is an old standby as a winter poultry 

 green food. It is easily grown and can be put away 

 for winter use. The large, solid heads may be used 

 for the table and the culls kept for the fowls. 

 Always keep the cabbage patch well cultivated and 

 free from weeds. Store the cabbage in a cellar or 

 put it into a hole, covering the top with boards, then 

 cover the tops of the boards with earth, leaving an 

 opening at one end from which to extract the heads 

 as needed. As soon as the ground freezes the cab- 



