SORGHUM. 



For fodder sorghum should be sown as early in July as possible. Early 

 Amber, one of the best varieties, requires 70 to 100 days to mature for fodder, 

 and the Orange varieties about 10 days longer. The crop should be cut for 

 fodder when the seed on about half the head is mature. The yield of sorghum 

 is from 3 to 6 tons of cured forage per acre from one cutting. Sow on well- 

 prepared ground at the rate of 1| to 2 bushels of seed per acre and harrow the 

 seed in. In some sections cowpeas and sorghum are sown together at the 

 rate of one-half to 1 bushel of cowpeas and 1 bushel of sorghum. This makes 

 better hay or pasture than sorghum alone. As a summer pasture the mixture 

 is especially relished by sheep, cattle, and hogs. Sorghum fodder is of greatest 

 value for cattle, but is also a good roughage for horses and sheep. 1 



COWPEAS. 



Throughout Indiana and Illinois, especially the southern portions, and the 

 States to the southwest, the early varieties of both cowpeas and soy beans may 

 be successfully sown for hay or pasture as late as July 20. Both crops are 

 equal or superior to clover in feeding value and are relished by every class of 

 stock on the farm. Cowpeas will give from 1 to 3 tons of hay per acre. New 

 Era is one of the earliest varieties, maturing seed in 60 to 80 days after sowing. 

 Other early varieties are Early Blackeye and Michigan Favorite. Whippoor- 

 will, while a little later, is a more vigorous grower and a general favorite for 

 hay or pasture. In Missouri, Kansas, and the southern portion of Illinois and 

 Indiana a cowpea hay crop can be grown after an early grain crop has been 

 removed. New Era is one of the best varieties for this purpose. The most 

 satisfactory results are likely to be secured by seeding on well-prepared 

 ground in rows 27 to 30 inches apart, at the rate of about half a bushel per 

 acre, keeping the rows cultivated. If seeded broadcast at least 1 bushel should 

 be sown and the crop harrowed in. Cowpeas sown in standing corn at the last 

 cultivation will furnish a large amount of pasturage, and this method of han- 

 dling the crop is recommended. 2 



SOY BEANS. 



This crop is somewhat more productive of seed than cowpeas and is equally 

 as rich in feeding value as that crop. The hay is valuable for dairy cows, 

 brood sows, and young stock. Seed in rows, 24 to 32 inches apart, at the rate 

 of one-half to three-fourths bushel per acre on well-prepared ground and culti- 

 vate the crop. Ogemaw is one of the earliest varieties, maturing seed in 70 

 to 90 days. Extra Early Dwarf and Early Yellow mature in about the same 

 time. Ito San is a medium early variety and a good seed yielder. Hollybrook 

 is still later and a heavy producer of forage. 3 



BARLEY AND PEAS. 



Barley and Canada field peas seeded together at the rate of about 1 bushel 

 of each make an excellent pasture and soiling crop, and if seeded by July 15 

 will mature for hay. The hay is relished by sheep, horses, and cattle and is 

 a rich protein forage for dairy cows, while the pasture is especially valuable 

 for hogs and lambs. The yield varies from 2 to 3 tons of cured hay per acre 

 and the hay is fully equal in feeding value on the farm to the best mixtures 

 of clover and timothy. Oats are frequently seeded with Canada field peas 

 for forage, but after July barley makes a more rapid growth than oats and 

 is less subject to rust. A mixture of barley and peas may be seeded together 

 with a grain drill on well-prepared, fertile soil, preferably clay loam, or broad- 

 casted and harrowed in, covering 2 to 3 inches deep. 4 



RAPE. 



This is strictly a succulent pasture crop of especial value for hogs, growing 

 lambs, and fattening sheep. It may be sown in corn at the last cultivatior, 

 using about 3 pounds of seed per acre and lightly harrowing it in. Much 



1 See also Farmers' Bulletin No. 246, Saccharine Sorghums for Forage. 



2 See also U. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bulletin No. 318, Cowpeas; and Kansas Experi- 

 ment Station Bulletin No. 160, Cowpeas. 



3 See also U. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bulletin No. 372, Soy Beans. 



* See also IT. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bulletin No. 224, Canada Field Peas. 



[Cir. 36] 



