16 FORAGE CROPS 
bleness, as the various grades fixed by hay associ- 
ations are based on this variety as a standard. 
Any admixtures of other grasses or clovers reduce 
the value in proportion to the quantity of timothy 
present. It is probable that for a long time to 
come timothy hay will remain the standard for 
market grades. Notwithstanding these facts, there 
are a number of other plants which, because of 
their adaptability to peculiar conditions, their 
larger yields, and their excellent quality for feeding, 
must sooner or later be recognized. Among these 
are orchard-grass, red-top, Kentucky blue-grass, 
Italian rye-grass, and others, some of which are 
discussed in some detail in other parts of this 
volume. The common recognition of the value 
of mixtures would result, in many instances, in 
largely increasing the possible yield from a defi- 
nite area, because mixtures of grasses that have 
different characteristics meet and average up the 
inequalities in seasons, soils and other conditions. 
The same is true of the legumes: many are suit- 
able for mixtures, and they improve the feeding 
value of the hay at the same time. 
Until recently, red clover has been the only 
member of the legume family extensively used for 
forage. It is well adapted to rotation-cropping, 
can be grown on most soils, and is a most excel- 
lent forage for all kinds of farm stock, but it can- 
not fulfil all requirements. Alsike clover, mam- 
