440 THE ESSENTIALS OF AGRICULTURE 



problem. On the other hand, let the three 4O-acre fields be 

 grown in rotation in corn, in oats or wheat, and in clover. 

 With such a rotation one man, with a little help for a few days 

 at harvest, could farm the 1 20 acres. Such a rotation would be 

 noncompeting as to labor and would assist in maintaining the 

 fertility of the soil. In the same way farm stock may be conflict- 

 ing or may work well together. Beef cattle and hogs, dairy cattle 

 and hogs, or sheep and hogs combine well, while beef cattle and 

 dairy cattle conflict. Some kinds of live stock combine well with 

 certain crops, while others are in competition. For instance, dairy 

 stock do not combine well with large areas of grain or hay, while 

 beef cattle and hogs fit admirably into such a system, because 

 they require little attention in summer when the crops require 

 the maximum labor, and the stock gives profitable employment 

 in winter. Therefore proper farm diversification avoids crops 

 and stock which seriously compete and secures a combination 

 which is adapted to the markets, soil, and climate. 



579. The distribution of farm labor. The farm system should 

 be planned so that the labor required will be evenly distributed 

 throughout the year. Farm labor may be divided into three 

 classes : maintenance labor, crop labor, and other productive 

 labor. Maintenance labor, such as the regular chores, cutting 

 weeds, and painting, brings no direct return and should be re- 

 duced to the smallest amount consistent with the proper upkeep 

 of stock, machinery, and business. 



Crop labor has to do with growing crops from the time spring 

 work begins until the crop is sold. Although crop labor cannot 

 run throughout the year, the system of cropping should keep the 

 labor demand as uniform and as well balanced as possible during 

 the crop season. If there is conflict between the best use of 

 crop labor and a satisfactory cropping system, the crop-labor 

 requirements should be readjusted. 



Other productive labor includes all work on stock kept for 

 profit (such as beef cattle, dairy cattle, sheep, hogs, and poultry), 

 also special labor expended on crops after all necessary labor for 

 their production and marketing has been performed. It includes 



