Farmers' WeeJx in Agricultural (Uillcge. 



161 



Fig. 4. Stalks on surface of field sown to oats and clover. 



of stalks, straw, manure, etc., on the surface of the soil in getting a 

 stand of clover should be considered as something of vital importance 

 by all farmers. 



Rotation of corn and clover only. — Only a few instances of corn 

 and clover rotations have been encountered. These were usually corn, 

 corn and clover, or two years of corn and two of clover. The clover in 

 such rotations is either sown in the corn at the last cultivation or by 

 itself in the spring without a nurse crop. Both of these methods have 

 several objections for the use of the average farmer. The first one, 

 seeding in the corn at the last cultivation, is under ordinary conditions 

 very uncertain. However, on rich black soils, some farmers were found 

 who, being especially careful to have their corn ground in "onion bed" 

 condition at that time, were very successful, rarely ever missing a stand 

 of clover. But on average clay upland soils and with the cultivation 

 the average corn field receives, especially in a dry year, seeding in the 

 corn is a very uncertain undertaking indeed. Such a method cannot 

 be advised for the average farmer except as he experiments with it in a 

 very small way and finds out what results he may expect. 



As for the second method of seeding in the spring without a nurse 

 crop, in some sections they have found that it is a very certain method 

 of getting a good stand of clover. However, it is not to be advised on 

 fields which are badly infested Avith weeds, unless provisions are made 



A-ll 



