selves; personally I am opposed to intercollegiate games. I have never said this publicly before, but I am just as much in favor of football as any other forms of athletics.

A Gentleman: They don't have to play. (Laughter.)

Professor Hunt: Oh, no, they don't have to play.

The President: We have another public institution in which we are all quite interested as citizens, and especially as taxpayers, that is our experiment station, and our next subject will be an address upon "Alfalfa, Crimson Clover, Rape and Other Forage Crops," by Professor J. Fremont Hickman, of Wooster, Ohio.

Professor Hickman: Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention, I found, after attempting to write upon this subject, that I had taken too broad a one, including in that subject too many topics. I found when I came to look over the series of forage crops that might be grown and in which you are all more or less interested, that I could count about fifteen or twenty, and in the subject you will find I have mentioned but three, three of the main forage crops. There is a reason for bringing this subject before you at this time from the very fact that we are growing more stock, and from the fact that we are finding more pests with which to contend, and we find a necessity of using forage crops in soiling.

ALFALFA, CRIMSON CLOVER, RAPE AND OTHER FORAGE CROPS.

BY PROF. J. FREMONT HICKMAN.

A growing and constant interest in forage crops suggested to the Experiment Station the advisability of undertaking to gather by practical methods some infor mation concerning the numerous new and untried but highly recommended forage crops. As early as 1889 our first efforts were put forth in this direction, and the first test was with alfalfa or lucerne, and for this reason we take up first, as indicated by our subject, alfalfa. We often hear the question" What is in a name." and if this question be asked of an individual or being that has but one name what shall we say of a plant that has two names? Answer, it should have but one. but we find in this instance that the name alfalfa was given by the Spanish and the name lucerne by the French. Previous to this the plant had been given the name medicai or medica by the Greeks and Romans, because it had been brough from Media at the time of the Persian war.

This plant belongs botanically to the same family as the clovers, peas, beans vetches, etc. It was introduced into Mexico from Spain, thence into South Amer ica, and from Chili into California, and later into Colorado and Kansas, thence eastward across the continent until it has, within the last decade, reached the eastern shores of North America.

To the arid regions of the western states it has, without question, been one of the most valuable plants ever introduced. Alfalfa is to the arid regions of the west vastly more than the little red clover to the less fertile lands of the middle and eastern states. The attentive hearer and the careful reader has already begun to draw the conclusion that I cannot recommend alfalfa as generously for Ohio as I can the little red clover, or even the greater red clover. Were I not living in an

age of reason, I might stop here and allow the mere statement to stand, but having made the assertion the interested reader demands the explanation.

Experience teaches that every plant grown has its peculiarities, and that every one grows somewhere to perfection, and on the other hand the same teacher instructs us that plants do not succeed everywhere.

This is as true of alfalfa as it is true of any other plant. This special leguminous plant prefers a light sandy or loamy soil, and a subsoil through which its long roots can readily penetrate. Soils underlaid with a shale or hardpan are not conducive to its successful growth for the reason that the roots must penetrate the subsoil until they find moisture and find it in abundance. While this plant prefers light and porous soils, it is not necessarily restricted to them, for it has been grown on clay giving good results, though this is the exception rather than the rule. The greatest difficulty with it in our experiments has been to get a stand. In this we have succeeded three years out of eight, but in none of these three has the alfalfa given sufficient growth to warrant either cutting or pasturing the first year. When I say that I have dug up roots of only five months growth measuring fifty-five inches in length, the statement that, after once started, the nature of the subsoil is of vastly more importance than the surface, will not need further argument or evidence. To my own knowledge these roots have been found running to a depth of eight and even nine feet into the subsoil. When once established in the soil the trouble is over, and it is one of the most tenacious of the leguminous family of plants; enduring more dry weather, more heat, and perhaps more cold than any other forage plant, it seems to defy the hottest sun, the driest soils and the widest variation of temperature. Our best results in starting alfalfa has followed early and deep plowing (in the spring) thoroughly pulverized surface, and the seed sown broadcast at the rate of twenty or twenty-five pounds per acre, and oats sown with it at the rate of one bushel per acre, all harrowed lightly, covering the seed very shallow. Twelve or fifteen pounds of good seed per acre would be an abundance. But in our experience we have found from forty to fifty per cent. of the seed did not germi

nate.

The seed is somewhat larger.than the seed of common red clover. When fresh and good it should be glossy, yellow and heavy. It may be further noted that if the seed appears white it is an indication that it was not mature when cut, and it is, therefore, uncertain whether it will grow or not.

The great difficulty in getting the plant to start, and the slow growth of the first year precludes it from coming into any short rotation. We cannot expect any. thing from it the first year. The second year it may be cut not less than twice or more than three times. It will be of a stronger growth the third and fourth years if not pastured, but will probably not improve any after the fourth season, though it may be continued almost indefinitely upon the same ground.

Most writers speak of it as making excellent pasture. If that were the only point to be considered, I could heartily agree with that opinion, but if we take into consideration the after welfare of our alfalfa field we.will hesitate before turning stock upon it at all. The objection to pasturing is the detrimental effect upon the plants. We have already observed that the alfalfa may be cut two or three times in a single season, and it necessarily follows that it must be a rapid grower, and in general we say that rapid growth is apt to be a tender growth. This is strictly true of the plant with which we are dealing. After cutting or feeding off, the young shoots start out much sooner and grow very much more rapidly than in the common clovers, and are correspondingly more tender. When stock of any kind are pastured upon it they do much harm by breaking off these tender shoots.

To get the most out of alfalfa it should be cut and fed green or cured for hay, and it is in the best condition for cutting for hay when it begins to blossom. If left much longer the stems become woody and less digestible. When used green,

either as a pasture or as a summer feed, it should not be fed without wilting nor pastured while wet as there is danger of bloating. From the best evidence I am able to gather, I have reason to believe that in this respect it is more dangerous than common clover. As hay it is relished by all farm animals. Any animal that will eat common clover will relish alfalfa, and in feeding its value is regarded as superior to the clover hay. From the experience of myself and others I believe that river and creek bottoms as well as other soils of a loose and porous nature will grow alfalfa profitably, but I cannot recommend it indiscriminately for Ohio soils, though I have no doubt but that it will do well in some sections and upon some soils, and when it does succeed it will give as good returns for the land occupied as any other crop that can be grown upon it,

Crimson clover, like alfalfa, is known under two or more names, namely, crimson, German and Italian clover, but has come to be known commonly throughout our own state as crimson clover, a name most applicable because it describes almost exactly the color of the blossom it bears.

For the past five or more years this clover has been pushed early, long and late by seedsmen and seed growers, who were within that section of country where crimson clover was a success. In some of the southern states and in Delaware and New Jersey, it has been grown with marked success, but north and west it is not conceded a success. At the Ohio Experiment Station we have tried to encourage this plant with the hope that it might furnish the much needed mulch on our stock ground during the winter season. We have sowed the seed at periods ranging from July 1st to September 15th in the hope of striking the proper season at which to seed. Then we have tried at different periods different methods of seeding, such as sowing the seed without stirring the ground, sowing after stirring and again cultivating, sowing and covering lightly. We have tried this on a small scale and on a large scale, including acres, and after five seasons of almost total failure we have not given it up but are trying again. In one instance we had a very fair stand in the fall and have at the present time, but in previous years a part of it stood very well until the month of March after which it was almost impossible to find on a ten-acre field as much as one could carry in one hand.

In the spring of 1895 crimson clover seed was sown with oats about the middle of May. From this seeding we had a very fair and the only stand of crimson clover in all our experiments with it. That particular piece headed out in September after growing to an average height of seven inches. The results from this early seeding from which we secured a fair stand indicates that crimson clover can be grown and matured within one season, while the results of other experiments go to show that the plant will not survive our northern winters.

From the results of our experiments, I have reason to believe that seeding in May or June is most likely to result in an early, rapid growth followed by premature blossoming and an early decay of plant life. Seeding in July will possibly give the plants sufficient strength to pass through our winters, but later seeding is almost sure to fail in this latitude except under the most favorable circumstances.

The seed is larger than the ordinary red clover and should be sown at the rate of ten to twelve pounds per acre. One-half of this amount would be ample if real good seed could be obtained, but thus far I have found the seed lacking in vitality. This clover is noted for its rapid growth, but bears a weak stock, nearly always assuming when in blossom a decumbent position. It is remarkable for its stooling qualities or habit and prolific flowering capacity. I have been able to count more than sixty stems from a single plant, and I believe they bear more than a third more blossoms than main stems; a part of these flowers coming from side branches of the main stems. After all that has been said regarding crimson clover in print and elsewhere, it has occurred to me that the season of the year usually recommended for sowing the seed is one out of all seasons and that it is no wonder if the

plant has failed. Reasoning from the standpoint of the ordinary season and conditions of our months of July and August, how could we expect crimson clover to grow? We would not expect anything else to make a start except possibly turnips. Is it not true that we think we are lucky if our plants, started and in good growing condition, pass through these, the most critica: months of the year, without getting a backset?

I believe it would be quite as rational, perhaps even more so, to attempt to grow our own acclimated red clover. I am of the opinion that in favorable seasons we could grow a good stand, such as would pass through our winters. This article bears the earmarks of one weak point which I am not able to clear up to my own satisfaction, namely, it is claimed that our failures in growing crimson clover in this country are due to foreign seed which is regarded as inferior to the American grown seed.

We have made but a single test with the latter and that one was as much of a failure as any of the others. Let me say in concluding this paper on crimson clover that it is claimed for it that it is good for soiling, good as a green manure, good for hay, good for poor land, good for silage, good for pasture, etc. From the very nature of the plant these claims are certainly all correct, but of what value are all these good qualities unless we can grow the clover?

Rape, the third section of our topic, includes a plant that is not as widely known as a forage crop within our state. It belongs to the same family of plants as cabbage, mustard, turnips and rutabagas. In its early growth it resembles the turnip to a marked degree,

acre.

It may be planted or sown broadcast on well prepared ground almost any time after the first of May until the middle of July, and will in favorable seasons make considerable pasture when sown as late as the. first of August, but makes its best growth when put in the ground after the ground has become thoroughly warm. The earliest seeding will make a slower growth but will make a larger yield per There are several varieties of rape, but none recommended for our soil or climate that is superior to the dwarf 'Essex. This can be had at the first class seed stores. From four to five pounds of seed when sown broadcast will be ample, and half that amount will plant an acre if it is drilled in rows thirty inches apart. This method is recommended more for the early than the later planting, for the reason that some cultivation may be necessary to keep the weeds down. This would apply also to ground that is more or less foul.

This plant has a specific place and is recommended as a sheep feed and can be used in two ways. First it may be cut and fed in the barns and is especially good for fixing up show sheep, for bringing up sheep that have gotten out of order, and may be fed in the same way to the general flock. But its wider use is as a pasture. For this purpose it is not often needed until July or August, sometimes not until the later fall months. It is a good plan to plant some (if possible) early in May, and to plant every two or three weeks after that until the first of August, would, under ordinary circumstances, furnish good pasture throughout the season. When the rape has gotten two or three feet high, the sheep may be turned into it, but the precaution should be taken, if possible, to have them run into an old pasture field that joins the rape patch, for the rape alone will not likely agree with them. While they are not likely to eat too much the first few days, there is danger after they get to eating it that they may overload while it is wet, which may result in indigestion, or bloating, and in some instances purging may be a result. The dry pasture even if not very plenty will correct in most cases all these difficulties. If the first few days are passed without trouble, there will be but little if any danger after that, but it will always be judicious to look after them frequently.

During the past summer we turned our lambs after weaning, into a field that had been mowed and on which there was plenty of pasture until after the first of

October. In one corner of this field we had planted a rape patch early in May; at the time of turning these lambs into the field the first of August, it was in good condition for them to work on, but on account of the seasonable rains and abundant pasture they ate but little rape until the pasture grew short, after which they commenced eating it gradually and during the month of November they almost lived in the rape patch, and during that month gained more in live weight than in any previous month. On the first day of December, when they were put into the barn for the winter, not a vestige remained of the rape, except perhaps four or five inches of the stalks of each plant sticking out of the ground.

When this plant is eaten or cut off it starts a new growth almost immediately, and continues to grow until after freezing weather sets in. Frosts alone do not kill it, it will stand several degrees of freezing without being injured. If however, sheep are pastured on it and break off the branches while it is frozen, it results in a permanent injury to the plant.

We find two objections to the rape plant, the first, about which there is no doubt, is its liability to an attack from the cabbage aphis. This little pest is capable of destroying a whole field within a very few days.

The second objection is as yet only an apparent one, namely, that in one particular instance there was every appearance of a rapid depletion of the soil. This was shown in a most striking manner on the crop following the rape, but further proof of the fact remains to be brought out.

From our experiment with the crop I am clearly of the opinion that it is worthy of a fair trial, and may prove to be a forage crop of more than passing value, especially to the sheep breeder.

The fourth division of our subject "Other forage plants," includes a score or more of plants. Some of considerable importance and others that it will scarcely seem worth while to mention. The entire list of which we intended to speak, includes the following: cow peas, soja beans, Canada peas, vetches (both winter and spring varieties), flat peas, sweet clover. All of the above belong to the leguminous family. Then we have the following, belonging to the graminacea family: corn, Kaffir corn, Millo maize, Jerusalem corn, teosinte and different varieties of millet. Then there are still others that must go unnoticed, such as saccharum and purry and finally the greatest of them all, maize or Indian corn.

One of the most recent of these forage crops brought to our notice is the soja bean. This is a Japanese plant belonging to the same family as our clovers. We have grown it at the Station for three years with marked success. It is an annual plant and maturcs seed in our climate when cultivated, as corn, and can be planted in about the same way except that it can be grown much closer together. The crop can be used as a feed in its immature state, or can possibly be used with more profit to plow under, the same as clover. If its effects should be only half as good as the use of clover plowed under, it would still be a more valuable crop for that purpose for the reason that it requires but a single season to grow the crop. If the seed is not an object it can be sown broadcast in May after all danger of frost is passed and on very moderate soil. It will by the first of September make about as much green manure as can be plowed under to advantage. One bushel of seed per acre should give a good stand, and it can be put in with a grain drill or sown broadcast and harrowed in, covering lightly.

The crop can also be used as a substitute for hay, though it is not as good for this purpose as many other plants of the same family. It is more difficult to cure, does not keep so well and sheds its leaves more easily than the clover when dry. From my present knowledge of this plant I regard it as one of the most promising new plants either as a forage crop or for plowing under.

Cow peas. After two years' experience with cow peas on our clay soils of northern Ohio, we are not justified in recommending them. They may do better further south, and doubtless do, as that is their native heath.