I 



CHOICE AKD IMPEOVEMENT OF CHOPS. 99 



Potato culture and the growing of what are called 

 market garden crops, as well as fruit growing, are more 

 profitable than ordinary grain growing in a good many- 

 localities ; but important as these crops are they are 

 still minor crops and engage the attention of but a 

 comparatively small percentage of the farmers of the 

 country. 



Specific rules which shall be applicable to all parts 

 of the country cannot be given. The great staple 

 crops can safely be grown where soil and climate are 

 adapted to them and where there are reasonable trans- 

 portation facilities. When practicable a rotation is 

 better than continuous growth of any crop, and it is 

 very desirable to give a place in the rotation to clo- 

 ver or some plant of the same family. Generally the 

 crops of which the larger part is retained on the farm 

 are to be prefened. The growth of broom-corn, where 

 only the brush is sold and this cut before the seed has 

 matured, is less exhaustive to the soil than is the 

 continued culture of Indian corn where the grain is 

 sold. The order of cropping which will give em- 

 ployment during most of the year is ordinarily to 

 be preferred. 



Specialities which require most of intelligence and 

 skill may give largest profits, with possibilities of large 

 losses. 



Improvement of Farm Crops. — Probably there 

 is no grain, grass, fibre, or root crop cultivated in the 

 United States which has not been greatly changed 

 since it was a wild plant. In recent years many new 

 varieties have been produced, differing in marked de- 

 grees from those formerly cultivated. Farmers gener- 

 ally do not actively interest themselves in the improve- 



