PASTURE OR FORAGE, AND SOILING CROPS 281 



Timothy should be grazed so closely that but few seed stems 

 are thrown up. 



The chemical composition of timothy pasture is as follows : 

 water, 61.6 per cent; ash, 2.1 per cent; crude protein, 3.1 

 per cent; crude fiber, 11.8 per cent; nitrogen-free extract, 

 20.2 per cent; and fat, 1.2 per cent. As indicated by the 

 chemical composition, timothy has not as high a feeding 

 value as bluegrass. Still, if it contains some clover to make 

 up the deficiency in the protein and ash, it answers very 

 well for a temporary pasture, especially during the spring and 

 summer. It may be used for all classes of livestock. It is 

 less valuable for hogs than for any other class of farm animals. 



Canada bluegrass is most abundant in eastern Canada 

 and northeastern United States. It will grow under more 

 adverse conditions than Kentucky bluegrass, which it 

 resembles in appearance and habit of growth. It is not 

 quite as high in feeding value as Kentucky bluegrass, but 

 it is a good substitute for it. 



The millets, although little used for pasture, are exten- 

 sively grown for soiling crops. They are quite valuable 

 when so used. 



The sorghums are sometimes used for pasture. Serious 

 trouble and sometimes death often result from cattle or 

 horses eating second-growth sorghum. This also happens 

 sometimes from eating first-growth sorghum. This usually 

 occurs after the growth of the plant has been temporarily 

 checked by severe drought or frost. The difficulty seems to 

 be due to the formation of prussic acid in the plant. Sweet 

 sorghum, kafir corn, milo maize, Sudan grass, and feterita 

 all have the same objection. In general, it is safer not to 

 pasture the second-growth of these crops. 



