138 CROPS FOR SPECIAL FARM PRACTICES 



Cover-Crops 



A cover-crop is one that is grown for its effect as green-manure or 

 protection, or otherwise, rather than for its value as a product of itself. 

 Cover-crops are used 



1. To prevent the loss of soluble plant-food, which occurs when the 

 lands are left uncovered during the late fall and winter; 



2. To prevent the galling or surface erosion of hillsides or slopes 

 by winter rains; 



3. To prevent root injury by excessive freezing of orchard lands ; 



4. To supply humus; 



5. To improve the physical condition of the land. 



Legumes used as cover-crops : red clover and Canada field-peas, 

 widely useful in the northern tier of states ; alfalfa in the western states 

 and California; soybeans, cowpeas, and crimson clover in the central 

 and southern states ; velvet bean and beggarweed, especially useful only 

 in the South ; hairy vetch and spring vetch, most successfully used in 

 the South, though rather generally grown in the northern states ; sweet 

 clover and, for peculiar conditions, serradella. 



Non-legumes used as cover-crops : rye, wheat, oats, and barley, of 

 the cereals, are more commonly used ; rape and turnips, which are not 

 hardy in the northern sections ; buckwheat, white mustard, and spurry 

 under special conditions. 



Some of the leading cover-crops mentioned or recommended for 

 fruit plantations (the leguminous or nitrogen -gathering species being 

 starred) : 



Living over winter: 



* Clovers. 



* Hairy or winter vetch (Vicia villosa). 



* Sweet clover (little used). 

 Winter rye. 



Winter wheat. 



Killed by freezing : 



* Cowpea. 



* Soybean. 



* Velvet bean. 

 *Pea. 



