RYE 211 



of other cereals. Moreover, when grass or clover 

 seeds are sown along with the rye, its early re- 

 moval lets in the sunlight and is so far favorable 

 to their growth. If the rye cannot be harvested at 

 once when ripe, the loss from shelling is much less 

 than with other cereals. The yields are usuajly 

 moderate, as the crop is commonly sown on the 

 poorest soil of the farm. They run, in many in- 

 stances, about 15 to 18 bushels, though under favor- 

 able condition, more than 30 bushels per acre may 

 be grown. 



Rye weighs 56 pounds per bushel, and, therefore, 

 is nearly as heavy as wheat. It is a valuable food 

 for horses, milch cows, cattle that are being fat- 

 tened, swine and sheep, when it is properly fed, but 

 there is prejudice in the minds of many against 

 feeding it, because of some evils that have resulted 

 therefrom. It is true that ergot is found in rye 

 occasionally, and when it is thus present in any 

 considerable quantity it is also true that when fed 

 heavily it will produce abortion in pregnant animals. 

 The proper way to feed it when possible is to feed 

 a small quantity and in combination with other 

 feeding stuffs. 



Winter Rye for Pasture. — None of the small 

 cereals will compare with rye in providing pasture. 

 Its strong points here include the following: It 

 may be sown almost at any season of the year; 

 good pasture may be obtained from the one sow- 

 ing; a stand of grass may be obtained while it is 

 being grazed, and it may usually be followed by 

 another crop the same season. 



If rye is to furnish good pasture in the autumn 



