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CROPS FOR SPECIAL FARM PRACTICES 



Nitrogen-consuming catch-crops: rye, wheat, buckwheat, turnips, 

 dwarf. Essex rape. 



Nitrogen-gathering catch-crops : red clover, 15 Ib. per acre ; mam- 

 moth clover, 15 Ib. ; alsike clover, 5 Ib. with 5 Ib. red clover ; crimson 

 clover, 12-15 Ib. ; alfalfa, 25-35 Ib. broadcast or 15-25 Ib. drilled; 

 Canada field-pea, \-2 bu. ; cowpea, \-\\ bu., broadcast ; soybean, 1-1| 

 bu. broadcast, or 2-3 pk. drilled ; velvet bean, 1 bu. ; sand or winter 

 vetch, li-2 bu. 



The amount of nitrogen contained in various crops : 



Nurse-Crops 



Plants used to aid, shield, or shade other plants, until the other plants 

 become established, are nurse-plants. Grain is a nurse-crop when it 

 is used as an aid to seeding to grass. Nurse-cropping is practiced in 

 forestry, also. 



Field Root-Crops (Minns) 



Seeds of the mangel may be sown in central New York from May 

 1 to June 1, with expectation of a good crop. Late frosts do not en- 

 danger the young plants ; and if the ground is in good condition the 

 earlier they are sown in the month of May, the longer the growing 

 season will be. They are not seriously affected by dry weather if 

 given good tillage. They are mature enough to harvest by October 1 , 

 and may be allowed to remain in the ground until November 1 with 

 safety. Hard freezing weather damages the part of the root that 

 stands above ground, and therefore it is safe to have them harvested 

 before November. 



Seeds of carrots are slow to germinate, and must be planted near the 

 surface of the ground. It is essential to have the best of soil and weather 



