8 FORAGE CROPS 
Pastures were too often the only source of succu- 
lent food; no provision was made for succulent 
winter food, and the less suitable dry foods were 
fed exclusively. Under all of these circumstances, 
where conditions were necessarily variable, the milk 
flow was naturally interfered with, and the actual 
profits from the dairy materially prevented. There- 
fore, the introduction of new crops, or the adoption 
of any practice which will result in providing for a 
continuous supply of food, must meet the approval 
of progressive dairymen. 
Aside from suggestions as to continuous supply 
of food by summer soiling, the growing of various 
forage crops must have a bearing on summer pas- 
ture, and on the necessity of supplementary feeds 
to meet the requirements when conditions are 
unfavorable, as well as to provide succulent foods 
for winter. To be sure, many farmers have it in 
their power to supply these supplementary feeds 
from the regular crops at certain seasons,—as, 
for example, when corn reaches a sufficient state 
of maturity to permit of its use, or when grass or 
clover from the mowing fields has reached the 
proper stage of maturity,—but ordinarily no pro- 
vision is made to meet the possible demands at 
such seasons. Many of the crops that serve an 
excellent purpose for soiling may be grown in 
small areas, and thus provide food when needed; 
and if not needed, the crop may be made into hay 
