Peoceedings of Seventeenth ISTormal Institute l'.;;; 



easily maiutaiued, and insect pests and plant diseases are reduced 

 to the minimum. 



As an argument for the rotation of crops on the farm, we have 

 not only the great variation in plants, and the better condition 

 of the soil, but the better distribution of labor and the advantage 

 of having several sources of income — all of which are very 

 important. 



With sharper competition, higher priced land, labor and seeds, 

 the farmer is confronted with diminishing profits as the years go 

 by ; and he can succeed only by meeting those changing conditions 

 with the best employment of labor during the entire year, and 

 securing the largest possible income from the farm, which is 

 usually derived from several different sources. 



There can scarcely be anything more demoralizing than for 

 men to be employed for eight or nine months, and to live in idle- 

 ness the remaining months of the year. From the standpoint of 

 economy, efficiency and morality, the farmer should give his help 

 employment the full twelve months of the year. 



Let us feel now that from every standpoint we have proven 

 that a rotation of crops on the farm is a wise practice. 



What shall the rotation be ? To answer that question we have 

 many problems to consider — the soil, seasons, markets, and the 

 man himself. 



The wise farmer will carefully study the nature of his soil, 

 and grow only such plants as will thrive best with him. The 

 adaptation of plants to soil is ever a problem with the time 

 farmer. The soil in some parts of Florida, which is not a soil 

 but almost clear sand, is very valuable for the production of 

 pineapples, but is worthless for the growth of wheat. In ISTew 

 York State the soils are so mixed that, not only on every farm 

 but almost on every acre of land, soils may be found which would 

 be classified very differently. 



It is very fortunate that, while we have such a variety of soils, 

 we also have many plants which thrive well here and can be 

 grown successfully on soils of different composition, and the 

 farmer is therefore given quite a wide range of plants from which, 

 to make his selection. 



