310 THE CULTURE OF FAKM CROPS. 



until the soil is so thoroughly filled with it, that it is very 

 difficult keep it down. For this reason the most thor- 

 ough cultivation is required. The horse hoe which may be 

 worked close to the rows is the best implement for this 

 work; but some hand hoeing is required, until the land is 

 rid of the prevailing weeds by thorough culture, for several 

 years. 



The continual growth of corn and cotton on the same 

 land, without adequate manuring, has exhausted much of the 

 soil in the cotton growing districts; and the custom of throw- 

 ing out the land to "old field" until it grows up again with 

 timber, and in the meantime becomes cut up and gullied by 

 the rains, has given an unpleasing appearance to the Southern 

 country. This will no doubt be remedied in course of time, 

 when a more profitable system is introduced; and the cul- 

 ture of farm crops is made a study. No doubt a reasonable 

 and scientific rotation of crops; the culture of wheat; sweet 

 potatoes and fodder crops for the feeding of stock, with the 

 surplus cotton seed; and the production of the requisite 

 manure, clover, and such of the grasses as are adapted for 

 the climate; will in time change the customs of the farmers 

 and the appearance of the country for the better, and add 

 greatly to the wealth and comfort of the people. 



FLAX is one of the most valuable of the textile crops, 

 and succeeds best in a cool climate and in rich moist soil. 

 It is largely grown in the west for the seed which is used 

 for the production of linseed oil, but the fiber is really the 

 most valuable part of the plant. This use of it however is 

 greatly curtailed in this country for some reasons, which 

 are difficult to understand, and our supplies of linens are 

 brought from foreign countries. Nevertheless, as there is a 

 profitable demand for the seed, and it is most valuable for 

 feeding to sheep and cattle for fattening, there is a place 

 for this crop upon every well ordered farm in the country. 



A clay loam, or rather light rich sod, is the best for this 

 crop. A grass or clover sod suits it admirably. The land 

 is plowed in the spring and well pulverized, and half a 

 bushel of seed per acre is sown. Early sowing is advisable. 



