48 THE BOOK OF CORN 



In plowing the clover sod for com there are two 

 methods used: 1, to plow under the second crop in 

 the fall; 2, to allow the clover to get all possible 

 growth in the spring and plow under just before corn 

 planting time. The desirability of either of these 

 methods will depend largely upon the age of the 

 crop. If the crop is plowed under the first year 

 after seeding it should be allowed to grow in the 

 spring as late as possible, then be turned under to a 

 good depth. The soft stems and roots will quickly 

 decay, so that the corn crop can safely be planted in 

 such fields. If the clover is allowed to grow one year 

 on the field, it should be plowed under in the fall. In 

 this case it will take some time for the stems and roots 

 to decompose, so that it is necessary to plow in the fall 

 to get a thorough disintegration. The field should 

 then be thoroughly disked in the spring before planting 

 the corn. 



OTHER LEGUMINOUS CROPS 



Cowpeas and Soy Beans — Clover seems particu- 

 larly adapted to central and northern United States. 

 For southern fields all the elements of a successful 

 nitrogen gathering crop have been found in the cowpea 

 and soy bean. Cowpeas are probably of Asiatic origin, 

 being an article of human diet in India and China. 

 The crop was introduced into southern United States 

 and has rapidly spread until it is being generally grown 

 as far north as cential Michigan. The crop produces 

 a large yield of very valuable feed and is one of the 

 best for collecting atmospheric nitrogen. 



There are many varieties, as a result of continued 

 selection and growth on widely differing soils and 

 under different climatic conditions. Of these varieties 

 the most common are the Whippoorwill, Black, Red, 



