80 



and half. When clover is xjlowed under, it is usually after the first bloom has been 

 fed off and a second has grown up and somewhat ripened. This usually gives the best 

 result, as by this process the roots become larger, there is more growth of top, and 

 often seed enough to renew the crop. Erie : The most successful rotation is, mow 

 clover twice, and the next spring put on a heavy coat of stable-manure, plow under, 

 and plant to corn ; the next season, to oats or barley, and wheat the same fall, with 

 clover the next spring. 



From Delaware, Newcastle reports the practice by the best fanners, 

 and with most gratifying results, especially on clay lands. 



In Maryland the practice is extensive ; that and commercial fertiliz- 

 ers constituting about three-fifths of all used. Tlie following extracts, 

 from very full returns, afford specimens of prevailing T)rocesses and 

 results : 



Cecil: After mowing and pasturing the sod is plowed under for corn, by which 

 farms are very much improved ; mine yields double, perhaps threefold, what it did 

 twenty years ago. Dorchester : Generally the first crop is cut for hay, then pasture till 

 time for stock to come to the barn ; then plow under for corn ; the best fertilizer we 

 can get for that, and tells on the wheat-crop which comes after. Charles : Generally 

 practiced; the iirst crop allowed to fall to the ground, as a cover, intead of turning it 

 under, because regarded as preferable for its fertilizing effects. Have reclaimed an 

 old worn-out field by using Turner's Excelsior, at the rate of 200 pounds per acre ; a 

 good stand of wheat and clover, the latter allowed to fall on the laud, not grazed. 

 The following year the increase of corn was threefold, the season not being very fa- 

 vorable. Clover is wholly regarded as the cheapest and most permanent fertilizer. 

 Carroll : The full crop turned under for wheat considered by some as equal to a good 

 coat of barn-yard manure. Queen Anne: On nine-tenths of our arable land red clover 

 is almost invariably sown to succeed the wheat and oats crops. This clover is gener- 

 ally pastured the second summer, and, if not left over, is fallowed in August for 

 ■wheat. We consider a good clover lay the best fertilizer for a wheat-crop. If the 

 ground is well prepared, and a moderate amountot superphosphate drilled in with the 

 wheat, to give an early start, a good crop, say 20 to 25 bushels per acre, is the almost 

 certain result. Eed clover is to us what the turnip-crop is to England. Calvert : The 

 full crop seldom turned under ; the usual practice to turn stock on the second year, 

 when the clover is in full bloom; the stock trample most of it under foot, and it 

 is plowed under the followiag spring. This system considered quite improving to the 

 soil. Some years ago I had an odd corner, of five acres, thoroughly exhausted and 

 dead-poor. I plowed the land, harrowed in commercial fertilizers at the rate of 400 

 pounds per acre, and planted in corn. The season was favorable, and the crop 40 

 bushels per acre, which paid for fertilizers and left a handsome profit. I followed the 

 corn with wheat, drilling in an additional 200 pounds of phosphate per acre. The 

 wheat-crop did not pay expenses, but the succeeding crop of clover was unusually 

 heavy. This was flushed under the second summer, and wheat drilled in, with 200 

 pounds of phosphate. The resuft was a crop of 22 bushels per acre ; worth more than 

 the land would have sold for a few years before. I have since kept up the use of clo- 

 ver and phosphates upon that piece, without applying farm-yard manure or lime, and 

 it is now as productive as any laud I have. 



From Virginia, forty-four out of fifty-four county returns note the prac- 

 tice, either with clover or pease, but in a large majority of instances the 

 extent is very limited. These returns bear concurrent testimony to 

 profitable results to both soil and succeeding crop. In Henrico, the 

 greeo crop is not turned ijuder, because the hay brings so high a price 

 in the city, and farmers think they cannot afford to wait for the results 

 of plowing under. 



Middlesex: Practiced by all farmers whose land will bring clover. The full crop 

 turned in soon as the heads begin to be brown, so as to insure a second seeding for the 

 spring following. AVheat is sown, and when a good crop of clover has been turned in a 

 heavy growth of wheat is cousiilered sure. The soil in a high state of improvement, 

 compared with other lands; good crops and thrifty farmers are the results of this prac- 

 tice. Dinwiddle: Generally the second crop plowed uuder in July or August. If a 

 good crop of clover is turned uudgr, a good crop of wheat follows, and the soil is per- 

 manently improved. Matthews: Field-pease more highly prized. These we sow iu our 

 corn and fallow either green or dry, and generally with good success. Peculiarly 

 suited to our soil and climate, and of rapid growth, it is more valuable to use as a fer- 

 tilizer than any crop we cau raise. Ja'.nes CiUj : The pea-fallow considered the best. 

 Craig : To a large extent aud with good results ; sow pla^cer on first crop ; cat for hay 



