Forage crops for soiling, silage, hay and pasture . rieties aresuperior to the dent in the northern parts of thecountry. The smaller, quicker-growing varietiesof the dent sorts are also satisfactory, althoughrequiring much thicker seeding and a longer periodof 2:rowth. fc) Freparation of land The yield of the crop depends to a very consid-erable extent on conditions that are favorable forcomplete germination and very earl5^ growth. Theimportance of this point cannot be emphasized toostrongly. Naturally, the preparation of the landand its treatment will depend somewhat on itscondition and chara
Forage crops for soiling, silage, hay and pasture . rieties aresuperior to the dent in the northern parts of thecountry. The smaller, quicker-growing varietiesof the dent sorts are also satisfactory, althoughrequiring much thicker seeding and a longer periodof 2:rowth. fc) Freparation of land The yield of the crop depends to a very consid-erable extent on conditions that are favorable forcomplete germination and very earl5^ growth. Theimportance of this point cannot be emphasized toostrongly. Naturally, the preparation of the landand its treatment will depend somewhat on itscondition and character. In the first place, ifeither clover or grass sod is used, it is generallygood practice not to plow too deep, which islikely to turn up parts of the soil not thoroughlymixed with vegetable matter, and not in goodphysical condition. This admixture of subsoil hasan unfavorable effect on quick and satisfactorygermination. Therefore, relatively shallow plow-ing,— five to six inches,—is preferable. Plowing should be performed as early as it is. 136 FORAGE CHOPS possible to get on the land, that the soil may besuitably compacted before the drying winds ofspring absorb the moisture. Following the plow-ing, the tillage should be deep and thorough, bothto warm the soil and to make the surface as fineas possible. When soils are loose and porous, thenecessity for deep and repeated tillings are not sogreat as when they are heavy and compact. Ifthe soil is not plowed until immediately precedingplanting, it is likely to be cold, preventing quickgermination; and should dry weather follow, thesurface rapidly dries out and the plants will notabsorb sufficient moisture from the lower layers tocause rapid and continuous growth. When thecrop is planted on land that has not had a cover-crop, the recommendations may be modified tosome extent; a little deeper plowing may be made,and less tilling is required to get it into first-classcondition. Manures and fertilizers When the aim is to secur
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