The Pulaskian., 1921-09-22
FORAGE CROPS FOR PULASKI COUNTY
By HENRY L. GARDNER, Special Correspondent to The Pulaskian.

Cow peas grow on almost all soils and thrive on land too poor for clover. Cow peas, whether used for green fodder, hay or ensilage, have a larger feeding value than clover, millet or any other grass. They make an excellent pasture; an acre of rip ening peas will feed and fatten Is to 20 young hogs. Used for green maturing, COW peas will increase wonderfully the fertility of the soil. l For hay, Soy beans, millet and peas are often planted together at the rates of about bushel of peas to half bushel of Soys or millet per acre.
 Australian Salt Bush.-A valuable forage plant for soils containing al kali and for all regions subject to periodical drouth; will grow freely on soils that will produce no other vegetation. It seems to take up from the soil the salty substance which is so detrimental to the growth of other plants, and after two or three crops of it have been grown the soil is capable of producing other crops. The plant is perennial in the South. Sow III spring or summer, when soil is warm or moist, after a rain; do not cover seed. When once started 1t will grow strong and vigorously dur ing the driest season The plants are of spreading habit, branching freely; they make a thick mat of stems and foliage three to four feet in diameter. yielding about 20 tons of green for age per acre, which makes about 5 tons of hay. This is very nutritious and eagerly eaten by all livestock. When dry it contains about 8 to 10 per cent of salty matter. One pound of seed will seed one acre.
 Giant Beggar Weed or Florida Clover.-An erect leguminous, an nual plant, from 3 to feet high, with abundant foliage; excellent as a pas lure crop; makes hay of the finest quality. The feed is relished by stock and is highly nutritious, comparing fayorably with that of red clover and COW peas. It is especially recom- mended for this, sand soil, and on land too poor to grow any other crop it has produced 3 to 5 tons of cured hay per acre. If cut when about 2 feet high, the plants again stool out from the bottom, yielding successful crops. It is an excellent crop to turn under for green manure. Sow when soil is warm, 3 or 4 pounds in drills 3 feet apart or broadcast 10 lbs. to the acre; cover 1 to 2 inches. Will mature in 80 days.
 Field Lupines.-An annual legum- inous plant, very valuable for blow ing under to reclaim poor soil, par ticularly sandy and old wornout land. It also makes good fodder in either the green state or as hay. The seeds are very fattening when used with hay. Sow in the early spring at the rate of 60 to 90 lbs. to the acre.
 Billion Dollar Grass (Japanese Millet) Entirely distinct from any other millet. Grows to 8 feet high and produces an enormous crop, often yielding Is to 20 tons of green fodder or 6 to 8 tons of cured hay per acre. The feeding value of this millet is much superior to that of corn fodder and the millet is much more relished by all kinds of stock. Japenese millet is mostly used for feeding green, but on account of the large yield and good quality of for age, 1t is most excellent as hay crop. The seed of this millet makes good feed for poultry and hogs, as it con tains almost as much fat and extract matter as shelled corn and little more protein. Sow the seed at the rate of l2 to Is lbs. to the acre.
 Pencilaria (Pearl Millet) This quick growing forage plant has been long known under the name of East India or "Cat-tail'' millet Sow in hills 4 feet apart and cultivate like corn. The plants attain height of 8 to 10 feet, with long-bladed, slen der leaves. These stalks can be cured for winter use and the seed makes an excellent poultry food. When cut at 3 feet high second crop branches out from the stubble. Pearl millet is of exceptional value for sections subject to protracted drouth, where natural grasses dry up, as it will keep on growing and furnish a good crop in the driest season. Eight pounds of seed are. required to the