170 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



to get some fall pasture if sown early. Wheat can be used in 

 the place of rye. 



Oats makes an excellent soiling crop and can be made to 

 follow the rye in feeding period. It should be sown as early as 

 the ground can be gotten into shape. One sowing will be in good 

 condition for feeding for about ten days. If three sowings are 

 made ten days apart, the feeding can be extended over a period 

 of twenty to twenty-five days. If more is sown than is needed, 

 it can be made into hay of good quality. If the Canada field pea 

 is sown with the oats, it makes a more nearly balanced ration. 



The clovers can be used to good advantage for soiling and 

 are especially valuable to feed with the above crops. Medium 

 red clover can be depended upon for but a short time at two cut- 

 tings. After it is large enough to cut to good advantage, it soon 

 gets beyond the best feeding stage and cattle will not consume 

 large enough quantities. The first cutting can be followed by 

 the mammoth clover which comes on more slowly. Alsike can 

 be used but does not usually yield as well as the other clovers. 



Alfalfa is an excellent crop for soiling purposes. Theoret- 

 ically, it could be used the entire season but practically this does 

 not work. If it is cut too early, it is apt to affect seriously the 

 succeeding crop. The fact limits the time it can be fed to about 

 one week at each cutting. It can be pastured for the entire sea- 

 son but this soon kills it out and should not be clone unless it is 

 to be plowed up the following season. 



The cowpea can be used to good advantage late in the sum- 

 mer and goes well with the corn which is available at that time, 

 mough it is not so palatable as the corn. It can be planted after 

 a crop of peas and oats has been removed and may be had until 

 frost. It grows better in the southern and central parts of the 

 state, than in the northern part, and is ready to feed as soon as 

 the first blossoms appear. 



The soybean can be had earlier than the cowpea but it is not 

 so palatable and soon becomes woody. 



There are other soiling crops but these are the most import- 

 ant for Illinois conditions. These feeds can be fed in the barn, 



