40 FORAGE CROPS 
period of successful feeding will also depend on: 
the kind of crop. Corn may be fed for a much 
longer period than any other of the regular forage 
crops, while millet is not useful ordinarily for more 
than six days. All of these factors must be taken 
into consideration in making plans for a season, in 
order that the forage will be in the best condition 
for soiling, and that the land may be fully utilized 
for crops. 
Many farmers using green forage crops for the 
first time make the mistake of waiting until the 
plant is too far matured before beginning its use. 
The result is that the food is not palatable, diges- 
tibility is reduced, and the milk flow is decreased, 
due not to the system of soiling, but to a lack of 
observation of the essential rules. 
PLANT-FOOD MUST BE PROVIDED 
Another point of considerable importance, and 
which is often overlooked, is the fact that in such 
intensive practice there is a greater demand for 
available food than when a period of rest occurs 
between the different crops. Therefore, it is essen- 
tial not only that very careful cultivation shall be 
practiced, but that the land shall be well supplied 
with plant-food. In any system of rotation, it is 
desirable, also, that one crop each year shall be a 
leguminous crop, and also that the land shall 
