42 FORAGE CROPS 



plowing causes too great loss of it, since it breaks 

 the capillary connection with the lower layers at a 

 too great depth from the surface. A dried- out 

 plowed surface, not having proper connection with 

 the lower layers, does not contain sufficient mois- 

 ture to cause the rapid germination of seed and to 

 provide what is necessary for immediate and con- 

 tinuous growth. 



COVER -CROPS 



To keep the land constantly occupied with 

 growing plants is particularly important, both in 

 the hot summer months and in fall and spring. 

 The covering of the land in summer prevents the 

 temperature from rising so high as to destroy the 

 organisms in the soil, while the covering in fall 

 and spring prevents the mechanical losses that 

 occur from wind and rain, and by the carrying 

 away of food in the soil- water. Owing to the fact 

 that certain crops, as, for example, barley or late- 

 seeded oats, are harvested too late to permit of 

 seeding other cover- crops, it has been found prac- 

 ticable to seed either rye or wheat with the barley 

 or oats ; and the rye, if the nurse crop is removed 

 by the latter part of October, w^ill usually make 

 growth enough in the central states to prevent 

 the losses referred to, and to be used in spring 

 for green manure or for forage, as may be most 

 convenient. 



