MISCELLANEOUS HOUGHAGES 



301 



sprinkled with molasses. Alfalfa meal properly made has 

 a very high feeding value, being nearly equal to bran. 

 However, a large part of the alfalfa meal on the market is 

 made from alfalfa chaff or the lower grades of alfalfa hay so 

 that its feeding value is usually lower than its cost. When 

 such feeds are used the farmer 

 should either prepare them him- 

 self or make certain that the 

 manufacturer is using good alfalfa 

 hay in the manufacture of his 

 product. Even then he should 

 remember that alfalfa meal is no 

 higher in feeding value than the 

 alfalfa hay and molasses of which 

 it is made. 



Rape is not a grass but belongs 

 to the mustard family. It stores 

 its nutriment in the leaves and 

 stems somewhat hke cabbage. It 

 may be sown at any time from 

 early spring until August and is 

 ready for use in 8 to 12 weeks. It 



is a cool weather plant and does Fig. 85. — Cassava. (Duggar, 

 ,,,.,, , . , , Southern Field Crops.; 



better m the early spring or late 



fall. If sown early in the spring and not pastured too 

 heavily, it may be pastured again in the fall. It is used 

 extensively for soihng. 



Although cattle may be profitably pastured on rape, 

 its greatest use is for sheep and swine. Sheep upon rape 

 pasture and receiving no grain make very fair gains. It 

 is more valualjle as sheep pasture than })luegrass. Access 



