92 THE SOILS AND CBOPS OF THE FARM. 



nure to which, when grown on lands of moderate fer- 

 tility, is often injurious. The growth of straw is 

 liable *to be unduly stimulated and the crop to fall 

 down. 



The great maize growing states are also great cattle 

 rearing regions, hence there is much pasturage and 

 meadow required. In these states the following rota- 

 tion is not uncommon: Three years in grass and 

 clover, two years corn, one year small grain (wheat 

 or oats), seeded with grass and clover. If less stock 

 is kept the grass and clover may be kept but two 

 years. If the small grains are more prominently 

 grown, wheat may be grown two years in succession. 

 If the land is not so well adapted to corn, there may 

 be but one crop of this. Commonly, however, the 

 second crop is fully as good as the first. While not 

 considered so good practice, three or even more com 

 crops are not unfrequently taken in succession, on 

 fertile prairie or alluvial soil. In this general rota- 

 tion the manure is usually applied to the land while 

 in grass, either as a top dressing for its benefit, or to 

 be plowed under for the corn crop. 



Where pasturage is the main feature, or where the 

 laud is thinner and not so well adapted to corn, the 

 land may remain in grass several years, the clover 

 usually mainly disappearing. 



Over some considerable areas a four-course rotation, 

 but with many modifications, is practiced. It may 

 be: Corn; oats or fallow; wheat; clover and grass. 

 In this case the manure will be applied to the fallow 

 ground or the oat stubble for wheat. 



Even in the almost exclusive grain- growing regions 

 some benefit is found to result from alternating the 

 com and the small grain crops. 



