' , BuEEATJ OF Ageicultuee. 259 



cut, yields more forage and as many seeds. We have at 

 times cut hay from plots at the rate of five or six tons 

 per acre, and the seeds range from about 20 to 40 bushels 

 per acre. When we have learned to handle the seed crop 

 properly, I have no doubt soy beans will grow in favor. 



One other forage of this group I consider of much 

 greater importance for Kentucky than is now recognized 

 by farmers, judging by the slight extent to which it is 

 grown. Everywhere north, after corn is cut, one sees 

 scattered over the fields, numbers of yellow pumpkins, 

 which make excellent food for milk cows. I have often 

 wondered why we did not more generally grow such 

 things for the same purpose here. Like the root crops, 

 they are easily kept during the winter, and I believe 

 both should have a place at least on our dairy farms. 



When Kentucky has developed the dairy interests 

 of which she is capable, and I think she is moving in this 

 direction now, these crops will probably be recognized 

 here at their real value. 



Eoot crops, such as beets, mangels, carrots and the 

 like have a value as winter feed that should not be over- 

 looked by our people who are interested in dairying and 

 hogs. Europeans have long recognized their value and 

 make much use of them and of such crops as rape. The 

 latter under the name of Dwarf Essex Rape has been 

 grown successfully in this country. It is cabbage so far 

 as its feeding value is concerned, having about the same 

 composition, and thriving in the same sort of soils. 



GrEASS MiXTTJEES. 



It has always been a favorite idea with writers on 

 agricultural topics to establish on land permanent pas- 

 tures or permanent meadows, consisting of forage plants 

 that supplement each other in one way and another, and 

 thus keep stock in better condition than will a single 

 plant species. The idea probably originated in England 

 and Ireland, where, from the moisture in the air and 

 soil, and a rather even climate, it seems possible to real- 

 ize something of the results which we would naturally 

 expect to get from well chosen mixtures. In Kentucky, 

 at any rate, and I think it is true also of others of the 

 States, though perhaps not of all, mixtures recom- 

 mended by seedmen do not always prove superior to 



