40 FORAGE CROPS 



period of successful feeding will also depend on. 

 the kind of crop. Corn may be fed for a much 

 longer period than any other of the regular forage 

 crops, while millet is not useful ordinarily for more 

 than six days. All of these factors must be taken 

 into consideration in making plans for a season, in 

 order that the forage will be in the best condition 

 for soiling, and that the land may be fully utilized 

 for crops. 



Many farmers using green forage crops for the 

 first time make the mistake of waiting until the 

 plant is too far matured before beginning its use. 

 The result is that the food is not palatable, diges- 

 tibility is reduced, and the milk flow is decreased, 

 due not to the system of soiling, but to a lack of 

 observation of the essential rules. 



PLANT -FOOD MUST BE PROVIDED 



Another point of considerable importance, and 

 which is often overlooked, is the fact that in such 

 intensive practice there is a greater demand for 

 available food than when a period of rest occurs 

 between the different crops. Therefore, it is essen- 

 tial not only that very careful cultivation shall be 

 practiced, but that the land shall be well supplied 

 with plant-food. In any system of rotation, it is 

 desirable, also, that one crop each year shall be a 

 leguminous crop, and also that the land shall 



