People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1896 — Green Food For Stock. [ARTICLE]

Green Food For Stock.

Bulletin of Purdue Agricultural Ex. Station. Feeders are coming to recognize more and more the necessity of plenty of green food for stock when grass is getting short. Owners of dairy cattle in particular feel this necessity. For two years at the Indiana Experiment Station, we have planted Canada field peas and oats, for this purpose. The first year of planting, we scattered pea seed at the rate of a bushel and one-half an acre over the ground, and plowed this in three or four inches deep. A busdel and ene-half of oat seed per acre was then scattered over this plowed land, which was then thoroughly harrowed. In 1895 the above practice was not followed. The land was plowed about seven inches deep and then harrowed to a fine tilth, a mixture of oats and peas, at the rate of one and one-half bushels of each per acre, was then drilled in, to the depth of about two inches. The plants thrived with great vigor, until severe drought checked their growth, in common with all other farm crops. Either method of planting will no doubt be satisfactory. In planting oats and peas, the first seeding should be gotten in at the earliest date possible, when the land may be satisfactorily worked. One or two more plantings, at ten day intervals, will give a good succession of crops, covering about six weeks. While cutting the green crop may begin as early as wished, after some length of stalk has been secured, it is advisable to wait until the oat head begins to expand, and when the peas are passing from the bloom. The best plan is to secure the green fodder as close to the maturity stage as sossible, consistent*with about three weeks of use for soiling. Oats and peas make highly nutritious and palatable food. They also give the earliest green fodder to be secured from plantings of the same season, and follow nicely after winter rye for soiling. This crop is coming more and more into favor. Oats and peas should only be planted early in spring, as these plants as a rule will not thrive from ( May or summer seedings. If not all fed green, the balance of the crop may, with advantage, be plowed under or cured for hav The expense for seed is no~t great. Oats may be bought in the market at prices varying from 15 to 25 cents per bushel, according to location. The pea seed purchased by" this Station this spring, cost 90 cents a bushel laid down at home depot. In buying be sure and get Canada field pea seed. Green peas and oats are eaten with a great relish by horses, cattle, sheep and swine, C. 8. Plumb, Director.