PRODUCTION OF CATTLE FOODS 



275 



much modified by locality and other circumstances arid 

 data are not available, and doubtless never will be, from 

 which useful averages may be obtained. 



The most that it is possible to show is the relative 

 productive capacity of different crops when the yield is 

 what is regarded as highly satisfactory in favorable 

 localities under good culture. This is done in the accom- 

 panying table. Attention is again called to the fact that 

 judgment should be based upon the amount of digestible 

 dry matter produced: 



Table LIX 



The estimates here given may not coincide with the views 

 of all as to what constitutes a fair crop, but from the data 

 shown, anyone can easily make a calculation on the 

 basis of his own estimate. 



369. Crops of high productivity. — ^The foregoing figures 

 emphasize the relative high productivity of alfalfa, 

 maize, and roots, as compared with certain cereal grains 

 and the meadow grasses. The former crops fill an impor- 

 tant place in intensive stock husbandry. Probably no 

 species of forage plants are known that are more economi- 

 cal sources of high-class cattle food than alfalfa and 



