COARSE FEEDS, OR ROVOHAOE 109 



hogs, but is not generally so used. It is undesirable to 

 pasture it much, as heavy trampling injures the crowns of 

 the roots. Neither should it be pastured very closely. A 

 combination of alfalfa pasture and corn makes a splendid 

 ration. When sheep or hogs are turned on this pasture, they 

 should first have a good fill of haj^, and should be kept con- 

 stantly on the green feed from then on, by which method 

 bloat may be prevented. When made into hay, the plants 

 should be cut at about the time new shoots begin to appear 

 about the crown of the root, and when the flowers are partly 

 in bloom. The plant should be cured so as to hold as much 

 bright green leaf as possible. As hay, this plant is unsur- 

 passed. It is suited to horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs. All 

 these animals like it, and do well on it. Corn is one of the 

 best feeds to give with it. In the West, large numbers of 

 sheep are fattened on corn and alfalfa. Brood sows do well 

 on alfalfa hay and a little corn. This plant is one of the 

 most valuable feeds used to-day on the stock farm. 



The soy bean has rapidly grown in favor in recent years. 

 It thrives over a wide extent of territory, and produces an 

 excellent forage crop, and a seed rich in protein and fat. 

 This plant combines well with corn, either for forage or the 

 silo. It is easily grown and, when not too coarse, yields a 

 large amount of very excellent forage or hay. 



The cowpea is mostly grown in the South. It is planted 

 to some extent in the middle Mississippi Valley, although it 

 does not usually ripen seed in the North. It has a constant 

 growth until frost, and so produces a great amount of forage, 

 which is much valued for grazing and for plowing under for 

 green manure. The peas are rich in protein, and the yield 

 is often very heavy. This is one of the most valuable plants 

 grown in the South, either for grazing, hay, or seed. The 

 hay may be used to some extent as a substitute for bran. 



Canada field peas in the northern part of the country 

 make a valuable green crop for soihng, especially if planted 



