SOIL IMPROVEMENT 169 



On bottom lands and some rolling hill lands, 

 tile drainage is the best method for taking care 

 of the water. This eliminates all ditch banks 

 and other obstructions. 



Green Manure Crops. The next impor- 

 tant step in soil building is to get more 

 humus or vegetable matter incorporated in 

 the soil. Undoubtedly the quickest and most 

 effective way of doing this is by means of 

 growing leguminous crops. If quick re- 

 sults are desired, the whole of the crop 

 should be turned under. This, perhaps, 

 would be advisable for the first year, under 

 any circumstances. The best crops for this 

 purpose are cowpeas, soy beans, velvet 

 beans, and, on land where they will grow, 

 some of the clovers. The cowpeas will grow 

 on almost any land in the Cotton Belt. The 

 velvet bean can be grown anywhere in the 

 Gulf States. The soy bean will be more 

 beneficial perhaps in some places on ac- 

 count of the diseases that affect the pea. 

 Lespedeza, bur clover, and crimson clover 

 can be grown on nearly all soils in the 

 South. An application of lime will be 

 helpful to the clovers on nearly all soils. 



