MAIZE AS AN EXAMPLE OF FORAGE CROP 3 
crop, for pasture, for hay or for silage; third, its 
time of growth and season of maturity, as influ- 
encing its usefulness at specific times; and fourth, 
the nature of the plant, as having reference both 
to its composition as a food and the influence that 
its growth may exert on the fertility of the land. 
Indian corn, or maize, is very highly regarded 
as a general forage crop, because it can be 
grown successfully over a wide area. It is capable 
of producing a large yield of nutritive substance, 
highly digestible, very palatable, and relished by 
all farm stock. It serves an excellent purpose as 
a green forage for use in soiling; it can be so 
grown as to furnish succulent food through a com- 
paratively long period of the growing season; it is 
the best crop to supply succulent winter food in 
the form of silage; it also serves as an excellent 
source of both dried roughage and of concentrates 
when ripened and handled in the usual way. It 
therefore fulfils in a larger degree than any other 
one plant the chief requirements of a forage crop. 
Because of its vigorous habit and its season of 
growth, it is capable of acquiring its fogd from 
sources not so readily available to other plants; 
therefore, good results can be secured on land that 
would not be capable of producing crops more 
dependent on immediately usable food supplies. 
Red clover is another example of a forage crop 
that possesses valuable characteristics, It can be 
