92 PRODUCTIVE FARMING 



long at a time. If the other four fields are fenced, the 

 field that is growing up to timothy and blue grass will make 

 the best pasture. 



During the winter and early spring the stable manure may 

 be spread on the field that is to be plowed up next for corn. 



This rather rapid rotation of crops keeps up the fertility 

 of the soil well. It allows the use of clover often on each 

 field, and clover manure is one of the richest forms of manure 

 for the soil. 



Pasturing a field one season in four is no small factor in 

 keeping up its fertility; but some commercial fertilizer, in 

 the form of acid phosphate and potash, may be used to supply 

 the loss of mineral constituents. Some of this fertilizer may 

 be applied when corn is planted and some when the grain 

 is sown. Lime should be applied to the field where clover 

 is to grow next. 



In all rotations where common red clover follows small 

 grain, it is usually seeded in the growing grain in early spring 

 or with the spring seeding of grain. 



An Alfalfa Rotation. — On dairy farms where alfalfa is 

 extensively grown, some systematic rotation may be adopted. 

 It is advisable to plow up the alfalfa field as soon as it becomes 

 rather weedy. This gives a chance to take advantage of 

 the fertility which it has been gathering for us. 



As soon as the June cutting has been taken off, the ground 

 is quickly prepared for corn to be used for fodder. The 

 next spring oat-and-pea mixture is sown, and as soon as the 

 crop is off the stubble is turned under. The harrow is used 

 once a week until the middle of August; then lime is applied 

 and alfalfa is seeded, using about thirty pounds to the acre. 

 Inoculation at this time is unnecessary. We have thus 

 taken from the field a crop of fodder corn and one of oats- 

 and-peas, between two crops of alfalfa. 



Exercise. — Rotation Courses. — Let pupils report on the 

 rotations followed at home or in the farming neighbor- 



