CHAPTER VI 

 What Forage Crops Are Best 



Economy in raising live stock means the produc- 

 tion of all roughage materials on the farm. It is 

 possible to purchase all roughage material and yet 

 make a financial success of growing farm animals, 

 but it is not likely; nor is it reasonable or sensible 

 to do so. In deciding what forage and grain crops 

 to grow, it is well to consider the following: 

 I. The crops in relation to soil and climate. 

 II. The crops in relation to line of business. 



III. The home production of protein. 



IV. The growing of crops that have power of 



producing the greatest quantity of digest- 

 ible dry matter. 

 V. Soil improvement in relation to crops 

 grown. 

 Crops in Relation to Soil and Climate. — Farm 

 crops are not equally adapted to all soils and 

 climates. Cottonseed cannot be produced in the 

 North because of the cooler and shorter seasons. 

 Timothy and blue grass are most productive in cool, 

 limestone soils, and cowpeas are more at home in 

 warm, dry soils. Nature has been generous, how- 

 ever, and has looked after the matter of crops and 

 grasses quite carefully. If we but do our part there 

 will be no difficulty in providing all roughage ma- 

 terials necessary for the successful production of 

 live stock. 



Our aim should be to make the best use of what 

 we have, to improve by selection and care those 



54 



