HOME-GROWN POULTRY FEEDS 



239 



or dwarf Essex rape will provide considerable succulent feed. 

 As the birds eat the crop off it grows again from the crown. 

 When a rotation of crops is desired, the following will be 

 found adapted to the various seasons: For early spring, 

 Canadian peas and oats, spring vetch, and oats or barley. 

 A good summer or hot weather crop consists of either buck- 

 wheat, soy beans, or cow peas (Fig. 133). For late fall 

 seeding, clover, winter vetch, winter rye, or winter wheat 

 will be best. These crops for each season have been desig- 



FlG. 132. — Leghorn pullets feeding in a heavy alfalfa pasture. 



nated in the order of their desirabihty. It is quite the custom 

 to sow them broadcast, and harrow or brush in the seed. 

 We must seed heavily in order to get a thick stand and 

 short, succulent growth. 



CROPS NECESSARY TO THE POULTRYMAN 



Every poultryman, whether he keeps 10 or 500 birds, 

 should raise some of these crops, the amount to depend 

 upon the number of birds he keeps. Alfalfa should be grown 

 and used as hay; much of it can be cut green, and fed as a 

 succulent crop. Mangel beets should be planted to provide 



