Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-05-01

Now that the spring is open aud the farm
ers are getting ready for crops, they should
not overlook the matter of growing those
we'll known substitutes for hay that mature
quickly and yield well, such as oats, fodder
corn, millet, and even peas. In mentioning
oats it is not intended to suggest the sowing
of the seed for the purpose of securing yield
of grain, but to cut the crop when it is only
in the milky state, or just previous to ripen-
ing. OF course some farmers will object to
what they regard as a method that entails the
loss of the grain but on fertile farms there
will generally be a fair crop of hay, while on
light soils the farmer must resort to such sub
stitutes as will give the best results. Oats, if
cut just before the time of ripening, yield
crop of straw rich in nutritious matter ten
der, keeping green, and which will be relish
ed by the cattle and horses. The method of
feeding it is to take bundle of oats and pass
them through cutter, cbopping straw and
heads together, the whole being a mass of
immature grain and straw. A small quantity
of ground grain is added to the cut oats and
fed TO the stock The advantage of thus har-
vesting and preparing oats ia that the whole
of the straw can be utilized, while the time
required for growth is shortened. Even on
rich, heavy land this mode of harvesting is a
good one where difficulty through the lodging
of the crop is annually encountered.
Corn is another excellent fodder crop, but
the best fodder is that consisting of small
tender stalks, which are usually juicy and sue
culent In order to add to the quality, the
fodder should be sown thickly in rows and
cut while quite green. Some prefer to cut
fodder corn when it is in tassel, and others at
the time when the young corn begins to fill
out, when it is cured, stored and fed, after
being cut into small lengths. 1t is suggested,
however, that corn can be cut when about
three feet high and tied in bundles The ad-
vantage of this method is that two crops may
be grown in the same season, and if properly
cured and stored il does not crumble so read
lily. 1t is an excellent, clean food for horses,
and may be fed in the bundle or 10 the man
ner mentioned for oats.
Peas answer early in the season, and are
suitable for cattle and sheep. They are usu-
ally aown with oats, and fed directly from the
field to the stock in the yards, under the soil
ing method. Such a crop may be fed and got
out Of the way for a late corn-fodder crop or
for turnips. In attempting to grow two crops
on the same land, however the land must be
MANFRED heavily or it will be injured, though
the exhaustion will not be so great as when
such crops are allowed to mature and produce
seed.
Among other crops that may be mentioned
are milet and Hungarian grass, which, though
properly clhsbeu hb nay crops are ALSO Iouuei
crops. They mature very quickly, and may
be sown in the summer. Sorghum, now com
ing into use, is also an excellent fodder crop
the seed being small and the plants easily
crowded and grown in a short interval. There
are several reasons for growing fodder crops
They fill want in some sections can bt
grown in q short time aud are a defence
against an insufficient hay crop Such crops
however, should be cut at the proper time
and should not be allowed to remain on the
field day longer than is necessary. In thu
case Of oats, the grain must not become hard
nor the straw yellow. The green condition
of the straw is important, and in order TO SO
cure II in the best condition the field shout,
be examined daily. If threatened with drough
cut at all events, and take of the crop befor,
it is injured. Millet and Hungarian grass ar
often allowed to form seed heads This shoul
be guarded against, rs the hay from thes
grasses is very palatable If the crop is Gu
when the first sign Of heading appears but
not 30 readily accepted by stock If cut later
The time of harvesting and preparation Q
the food for the stock are the most importan
points 10 be observed. - PHILADELPHIA RecOro