Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-04-14
Forage Crops Suited to Maine Farms

(Harold s. Osler, Asst. Professor Of Agronomy,
In Farmers Week. Orono9
The interest in forage crops is due to
a better knowledge of the food constitu-
ents which they contain, and their adapt
ability to the systems OF farming. In
the broad sense, it includes those crops
adapted to soiling or supplemental crops
and those used for silsge, hay and pas
ture. With the improvement OF the
livestock industry should 20 improved
methods in care and management OF for
age crops. Large quantities Of forage.
both dry and succulent, are utilized In
the general farming. Animals may be
produced and maintained largely on for
age, although some concentrates should
also be used.
Certain crops may increase or de-
crease soil fertility. Legumes add nitro
gen and improve the physical properties
of the soil. The most valuable forage
crops are nutritious, palatable, have
abundant foliage, and good feeding
habits, and are easily eradicated II 1t is
desirable to replace it with another crop.
Desirable forms should be perennial,
vigorous, hardy, and able to withstand
unfavorabls conditions. This is espe-
cially true of the pasture grasses.
In hay grasses, timothy ranks among
the first. II is a good yielder OF nutri-
tious and palatable hay, If properly cut
aud cured. 1t produces seed abundant
" and the seed is of strong vitality. 1t
has a wide range of adaptation.
A Kentucky bluegrass pasture is the
pride of the thrifty farmer. Its palata-
bility, the evenness of the sod which 1t
forms and the increasing productiveness
with age, IL properly handled, make IL
the king of pasture grasses. Canadian
bluegrass Is adapted to dry, graveliy
or sterile soil.
Redtop ranks among the first in
Sou theastern Illinois, and the New Eng
land states. In Maine, 1t ranks next TO
timothy in the hay mixtures. 1t thrives
we'll on moist, clayey or acid soil. IL
can be used in pastures or hay mixtures.
1t is very nutritious, but not as good
yielder nor so palatable as timothy.
Red clover Is we'll adapted to Maine
conditions. 1t may be used as . pas
ture, q hay, or q siloing crop. Its le.
pumiuous nature makes the second
growth desirable for q green manurlng
crop. 1t 10 both nutritious and palata-
BILE, and makes an excellent hay. IL
will not do we'll under moist or acid soil
conditions.
Alsike should always be included In
hay mixture. 1t is palatable, nutritious
and we'll adapted to almost any acid soil
conditions. White clover is very desir-
able iu pasture mixtures. Alfalfa il
grown only in q limited way 10 the va
rious parts of the state. Specific re-
ouirements hinder its wider distribu
tion. When once established, this crop
has great possibilities. Soy beans and
CO " peas are warm climate crops and are
not especially adapted to Maine condi'
tions, but Canada field peas can DO sue
cessfully grown.
Crops which can be used In soiling sys
TENS or as supplemental feed should not
be overlooked. Rye, wheat, corn, oats
and Japanese millet can be used In thi'
way. Com mbinations Of peas and oats, OF
barley and peas, one and one-half bush
els of each, make very desirable mix
ture for certain Maine conditions.