284 EXPERIMENTAL FARMS 



5 GEORGE v., A. 1915 

 Areas and Yiki.ds of Field Crops, Lacombe, 1913. 



ROTATION OF CROPS. 



While it is rather too eai'ly to draw definite conclusions as to tlie particular rota- 

 tion best adiipted to local conditions, it has been shovni that a rotation whieli includes 

 .'in application of barnj'ard manure and at least two years in hay or pasture, will insure 

 'leavier yields of grain during the years in which it is sown to these crops, than is 

 "'ossible where no rotation is followed other than continuous grain growing. A rota- 

 ion such as "Iv" or "L" described below, is well adapted to conditions as obtain 

 n this district. The sod, by returning fibre to the soil, helps to prevent blowing, 

 increases its water holding capacity and improves its physical condition. The moder- 

 ate application of barn.yard manure has a similar effect, and it is noticeable that 

 crops on land so treated make greater headway, especially in the e<irly stages, than 

 those on equally rich soil where no manure has been used. Extremely heaA-y appli- 

 cations of manure, more particularly if it is coarse, may prove injurious the first 

 year after its application, especially if the season happens to be dry. If comparatively 

 fine maiuire is applied on sod in the fall after the first crop of hay is cut. beneficial 

 results will certainly folloAV. 



The following rotations are now under test, " X " reported upon last year having 

 been dropi>ed to make room for some new poulti'y buildings. 



ROTATION '' C." 



First year. — Summer-fallow. 



Second year. — Wheat. 



Third year. — Wheat, or coarse grain. 



ROTATlUX ■' K. 



First year. — Hoed crop — peas — mixed grain. 



Second year. — Wheat. 



Third year. — Oats or barley. Seeded down per acre as follows: one-third, alsike 

 clover 6 pounds and rj'c grass 10 pounds; one-third, alsike clover 6 pounds, alfalfa 6 

 pounds and timothy 3 pounds; one-third, alsike clover 2 pounds, red clover 6 pounds, 

 timothy 2 pounds and rye grass 2 pounds. 



Fourth year. — Hi-y. Manured in autumn, 12 tons per acre. 



Fifth year. — Pasture. 



Sixth year. — Pasture. Ploughed July after haying, in preparation for roots. 



Lacombe. 



