224 DAIRY FARMING 



are much grown for stock food in Europe, but in regions 

 where corn silage can be grown, such crops are not likely to 

 be raised extensively, because corn silage is nearly as good 

 and is cheaper. The cool moist climate of Europe and the 

 cheap labor are favorable for growing roots. Our climate 

 is better adapted to corn, and our labor is so costly that 

 root crops are expensive feed. The farmer who keeps too 

 small a herd to justify him in having a silo, sometimes finds 

 that it pays to raise root crops to give a succulent feed in 

 winter. Roots are a very expensive feed, but a few pounds 

 a day will often increase the milk yield enough to pay. Per- 

 sons who make advanced registry tests usually raise mangels 

 or beets to feed to the cows while on test. Root crops also 

 have a place in regions where the season is so short that 

 corn silage cannot be raised. 



197. Legumes. The importance of raising alfalfa, clover, 

 or some other legume has already been emphasized. Many 

 farms in the eastern half of the United States are better 

 adapted to clover than to alfalfa, but where alfalfa grows 

 without too much difficulty it is preferred. Cowpeas are 

 the most common legume in the South. Soybeans, vetch, 

 and many other legumes are grown by some farmers, but in 

 most parts of the North, alfalfa or clover is more profitable. 



198. Pasture. The common pasture plants in the north- 

 eastern quarter of the United States are Kentucky blue-grass 

 and white clover. On land that is deficient in lime, Canada 

 blue-grass or redtop is often the chief pasture plant. Blue- 

 grass requires several years to form a good sod. If the pas- 

 ture land is well supplied with lime and is fairly fertile, the 

 pasture usually requires little attention, but if it is not 

 fertile, more care is necessary. In the South the common 

 pasture plant is Bermuda grass. 



