THE HAY CROP. 207 



On rich clayey soils in England, a course which has 

 been much used is 1, oats ; 2, rape, for oil ; 3, beans ; 

 4, wheat sown with clover ; 5 and 6, clover ; 7, wheat ; 

 8, rape. In rich loams, 1, oats ; 2, turnips ; 3, wheat 

 or barley ; 4, beans ; 5, wheat ; 6, fallow or turnips ; 7, 

 wheat or barley and grass seeds. But it must be remem 

 bered that the climate of England does not ripen Indian 

 corn. 



723. Rotation of crops is not indispensable. It may 

 be the best economy, on the whole, of manure, of time 

 and of labor. But the farmer who knows the precise use 

 and value of the several mineral and other manures, may 

 substitute, for a rotation of crops, a rotation of manures, 

 which will enable him to grow, on the same field, again 

 and again, the crop which may be most profitable for him 

 or most in demand in his market. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



* 



THE HARVEST. 



724. The hay crop is usually the first of the harvest 

 that requires attention. Before he can determine the 

 proper time for mowing, the farmer must consider for 

 what purposes his hay is to be used whether he is to feed 

 cows in milk, horses and working oxen, or young stock 

 with it. 



725. If it be used for feeding milch cows, it should be 

 cut earlier than if it is intended for some other kinds 



