The Question Box. 429 



At what season should mangel-wurzel seed be sown? 



Mr. Cook.— About the 10th of May, I think, is the beet seasoQ 

 in which to sow mangels. As a rule, all the beet family should 

 be sown early in the spring. They thus get the benefit of the 

 early spring rains while they are not injured by late spring frosts. 



What is the best cover crop for St. Lawrence county? 



Mr. Cook. — Perhaps the best cover crop here would be winter 

 rye; but I do not believe any such crop is needed here, as, in nine 

 years out of ten, the ground is covered with snow during the 

 winter. 



Would you plow corn stubble for an oat crop? 



Mr. Ward. — Yes. We are going to plow corn stubble this 

 spring for oats. I think it is the best place to grow them. 



Mr. Hamilton. — I don't agree with you. I would not grow oats 

 at all. They don't pay me. 



What is the effect when leaving our plowed ground naked from Septem- 

 ber to May? 



A Farmer. — We never have had a chance to try it in St. Law- 

 rence county. As a rule the ground is covered with snow during 

 that time. 



Mr, Converse. — I would not plow in the fall, except as a matter 

 of economy when I had a piece of ground that I could not get 

 on to early in the spring. It is better to have some cover crop on 

 the ground than to have it naked in winter. 



How can a poor chestnut soil be quickly and economically made pro- 

 ductive ? 



Mr. Terry. — I think I would begin by plowing under cow peas 

 or clover to furnish vegetable matter. Humus, as a rule, is de- 

 ficient in poor soils, and I think that cow peas are best. Mr. 

 Gould says he sows five pecks per acre, and sows them as soon as 

 all danger of frost is past in the spring. 



