THIRTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL CONVENTION 169 



ing than if these crops were pastured. The manure can be saved 

 and applied where wanted. 



Disadvantages. — More labor is required to gather the crops 

 and care for the cattle. It requires more careful attention on 

 the part of the herdsman. A succession of crops is not always 

 easily arranged. 



The following chart shows the more common crops used for 

 this purpose and the approximate time of planting and feeding. 

 The time of planting and feeding will vary in different parts of 

 the state and with different seasons. 



Corn is our most • important soiling crop. It yields a large 

 tonnage per acre, can be fed the year round in the form of silage, 

 is easily handled and is always relished by cattle. To get the 

 earliest feeding, early varieties should be planted as soon as the 

 ground can be gotten into condition and the danger of frost has 

 passed. It should be planted a little thicker than for a grain 

 crop. For late feeding, it can be sown quite thick. If planted 

 in the ordinary way, it will be ready to use as soon as well tas- 

 seled but is decidedly better when the ears are well formed. It 

 takes from 60 to 80 days for it to develop far enough for use. It 

 can be had about the middle of July, though it should be ready 

 much earlier in the southern than in the northern part of the 

 state. From this time it can be fed until frost. The most con- 

 venient way would be to feed it the year round as silage, though 

 it is probably best for the cow to have the fresh green feed for 

 the greater part of the summer. After the first few days, the 

 cows can be fed very liberally. 



Sorghum is not mentioned in the table, but can be used 

 much the same as corn. It yields well and is relished by the cat- 

 tle but can not be secured as early as corn. It should be fed with 

 care because of the great danger previously mentioned. 



Rye will furnish the earliest green feed because it can be 

 pastured and is usually ready as soon as the ground is dry 

 enough for the cattle to go upon it. It can be used from this 

 time continuously until it gets fairly well matured when the 

 cows will not consume large quantities of it. It is also possible 



