320 THE SMALL GRAINS 



of less shade and early harvesting, leaving the young 

 plants the benefit of more moisture remaining in the soil: 

 Winter barley is probably still better in the South, as it 

 matures earlier and does not grow so tall. When cereals 

 are used as nurse crops, the stubble should be left high as 



FIG. 93. Oats as a nurse crop for red clover at Tennessee Agricultural 

 Experiment Station, Knoxville. 



possible, to furnish protection and support to the young 

 grass or clover (Fig. 93). 



347. Cereals as cover-crops have been mentioned 

 (330). For winter cover rye is best, though in the South 

 barley ranks with it. For summer cover in northern 

 orchards oats is best. Vetch or peas sown with the 

 cereal increase the value of the cover, as they add nitro- 

 gen as well as humus to the soil. 



