SUBDUING THE LAND 133 



down to tame grasses, to remain permanently; or the 

 grass sod may be plowed under after several years, one 

 or more crops of flax, oats or other crops grown, and 

 the land again seeded down. These soils are usually 

 best for producing grasses or vegetables, and are some- 

 times used in the cultivation of celery. But if fertilized, 

 and the drainage and cultivation properly managed, they 

 will produce a number of the staple crops. They are 



Figure 53. Placing bog shoes on a horse. 



not good wheat soils. Oats thrive better than most 

 grains, and corn for fodder may also be raised on some 

 peaty soils. 



Timothy and alsike clover, or timothy alone, will make 

 large yields of hay where the water level can be main- 

 tained at a point to keep up the proper moisture supply. 

 Where the conditions are slightly too wet for these 

 crops, red-top will make a good yield of hay of fair 

 quality, and on some marshes too wet for red-top, fair 



