248 THE MANAGEMENT AND FEEDING OF CATTLE 



sweet varieties are high in favor. Sweet sorghum will 

 produce from one to three cuttings a year, according 

 to the conditions under which it is grown. But one 

 cutting of the sorghums, saccharine and non-saccharine, 

 are taken in a year, when grown under dry conditions. 



The list may be further extended, but those not 

 included are of minor importance, viewed from the 

 standpoint of American conditions. Those who desire 

 to carry further the study of soiling foods are referred 

 to the book, " Soiling Crops and the Silo," by the author. 

 Corn fed as ensilage is eminently adapted for such feed- 

 ing, so much so that an entire subdivision will be devoted 

 below to its discussion. 



To provide these in a proper succession will call for 

 the exercise of forethought. Some of the crops named 

 may be sown at different times, that is, the same crop 

 may be sown at successive periods with a view to pro- 

 long the season of feeding in the same. Such are peas 

 and oats, and corn. In Canada and the northern states, 

 among the most suitable soiling crops are peas and oats, 

 and corn. In the southern states, the most valuable are 

 alfalfa, corn, and sorghum ; in the mountain states of 

 the AVest, alfalfa; and in the Pacific coast states, oats, 

 vetches, and rye grass. 



However good the pastures may be, more or less 

 of soiling foods will be wanted in a well-ordered dairy. 

 It is the part of wisdom, therefore, to make provision 

 for growing these so that they will be abundantly avail- 

 able when needed. Should the weather prove so dry 

 in summer that the pasture supply proves inadequate, 

 in the absence of soiling food the production of the cows 

 is not only lowered proportionately, but it will also be 

 less when food supplies become abundant again than it 

 would otherwise be. During dry seasons, the crops that 

 are cultivated while growth is advancing are the safer 

 ones to grow to supply soiling food, since, because of the 

 cultivation given to them, they suffer less from drouth 



