206 THE CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



furnish a very large quantity of rich fertilizing matter 

 for plowing in. The character of clover however prevents 

 it from being used for the improvement of poor land. Its 

 use is better adapted for the manuring of soils in good con- 

 dition, and as a substitute for barn manure. Land has been 

 kept in the most productive condition by the use of this 

 crop alternating with wheat; two years being given to the 

 clover and the second growth of the second year being 

 plowed in for the wheat; gypsum being the only fertilizer used. 

 The yield of wheat on this land, w r hich was a naturally rich 

 limestone clay loam in central New York, during over 40 

 years, averaged 40 bushels per acre. 



The quantity of fertilizing matter added to the soil by the 

 various crops above mentioned is given in the following table. 



of dry matter 



in 1000 Ibs. g 



Plant -a 2 ^i~ 7 For what soils 



I* II II 1 2 |& best fitted. 



cl SI 



Spurry 6500 199 21 14 inches 3 Dry, sandy. 



White lupin 25000 188 12 25 



Buckwheat 8000 170 10 12 



Rape 16000 214 16 8 



Rye 8000 221 16 8 



Turnips 120CO 77 21 12 



1 Any kind. 



2 Dry, sandy and clay. 

 1 Rich and fertile. 



1 All. 



1 All. 



% Fertile, of all kinds. 



Clover 8000 250 14 25 



It is important to bear in mind in regard to the practice 

 of green manuring, the following suggestions, viz: 



That a sufficient quantity of seed should be sown to keep 

 the ground well covered and to secure as large a yield as 

 possible, with the most effective smothering of weeds. 



That the crop should be plowed under at the time when 

 the plants are about to burst into flower, for the purpose of 

 securing the most advantage from their condition at that 

 time, and to avoid stocking the land with seeds. 



That the vegetable matter should not be plowed under 

 more than 4 or 5 inches, and that it should be completely 

 covered with soil ; using, to secure this end, the usual chain 

 loop attached to the beam of the plow and the end of the 

 double tree; so that the decomposition of the matter may be 

 rapid and perfect, and that there may be no waste. 



