ECONOMIC PLANTS 



229 



roots die at the end of the second year. With one 



seeding and one preparation of the seed bed a cereal 



crop, one or more _ 



clover crops, and 



one or more timo- 



thy crops may be 



harvested. 



There are three 

 reasons for sowing 

 hay in mixtures : 

 I. greater crop pro- 

 duction; 2. wider 

 adaptation of the 

 mixed crop for 

 feeding, owing to 

 a combination of 

 the qualities of 

 the components ; 

 3. easier curing of 



FIG. 118. Red Clover. 



That the yield 



will be greater from a mixed seed can be seen when we 

 consider that the different plants, having different depths 

 of rootage, will occupy the soil more fully than either 

 growing alone. Timothy is especially good for horses, 

 clover for sheep and cattle. The mixture of the two 

 gives a hay that is adapted for general farm feeding. 

 The mixed grasses do not pack so closely when fresh 

 cut, thus allowing the air to circulate in the bunched 

 grass to produce a rapid curing. 



There are other mixtures than the one mentioned 

 above, the climatic and soil conditions of different areas 

 determining what mixture will produce the best hay. 



