HAGI AS A FORAGE CROP. 
43 
the quantity of seeds must not be too small, and sowing broad¬ 
cast is best. The development of the plants from seeds is 
very slow at first, but from July their growth seems to be 
suddenly stimulated, and by the beginning of September the 
stems attain a height of x —1.5 metres. At that time the first 
cutting may be taken and the second one towards the end of 
October or at the beginning of November before the occurrence 
of frost. In the subsequent years the plants may be cut 3—4 
times annually. Lime, wood ashes, or straw ashes are suitable 
as manure, and may be applied in large doses in the winter 
every 3—4 years.—In curing the plants for hay care must be 
bestowed on the manner of drying, to avoid loss of leaves 
which easily break off while turning the plants, and constitute 
just the most nutritious part of the fodder. The application of 
pyramides made of raw wooden staffs on which the plants are 
suspended, deserves to be recommended. 
In general, our experiments have shown that hagi is a very 
valuable forage crop, especially for cattle farms established 
on uncultivated land (hara) where there is at present insufficient 
nutrition for the animals during winter, and where manures for 
more pretentious plants are not available. Its cultivation should 
likewise be attended to in all those places (waste land, road 
sides, embankments of rail roads, etc.) from which plants are 
taken for feeding or manuring purposes. Owing to the capacity 
of hagi for assimilating free nitrogen from the air, not only is 
good fodder and manure rich in nitrogenous substances pro¬ 
duced, but the soil is also improved and gradually prepared for 
the future cultivation of more remunerative crops. 
