MISCELLANEOUS CROPS. 191 



was per acre. In response to an inquiry of mine in the Country 

 Gentleman, a gentleman from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, reported 

 that he grew two crops in 1874 and 1875 for the purpose of test- 

 ing this matter. With both these crops the grain was allowed to 

 ripen. The yield of clean straw was four tons to the acre in the 

 first case, and four tons and five hundred and forty-eight pounds 

 in the second. If I were growing the crop for the straw, I 

 would not allow the grain to ripen, but cut as soon as the blos- 

 som fell. By this means we save the expense of hand-threshing, 

 and get a heavier and better article of straw advantages which 

 fully compensate for the loss of the grain. 



Besides, in removing the crop so early, a good growth of 

 grass or clover will be made if it was seeded down ; or if other- 

 wise, the stubble can be plowed and another crop grown. I see 

 by my diary that I have generally cut my rye for straw in May, 

 and in early seasons as early as the 19th. This early-cut straw 

 is an excellent substitute for sheaf-oats, to cut up for chop for 

 horses, as it is soft, clean, and free from dust. 



I think a piece of poor land could be made to yield a good 

 profit, and be very rapidly improved in this way, if clover was 

 sown with the rye, for cutting the crop so early would give the 

 clover time to develop, so that when plowed down it would 

 greatly benefit the land. I find no trouble in curing this green- 

 cut straw. We bind in small bundles, and shock loosely in 

 moderate-sized shocks, and when partly cured, put two shocks 

 together. I should confidently expect over a ton to the acre the 

 first season on land so poor that it would not pay to cultivate in 

 corn or wheat, and this ought to be at least doubled after plow- 

 ing down a clover crop or two. 



Another purpose for which I greatly value rye is to prevent 

 washing. On our rolling lands we must continually guard against 

 this, and when once a rivulet is started, it is very difficult to 

 stop the cutting down into the subsoil. If we seed with grass 

 alone, it comes 'Up weak, and is likely to be washed out; but if 

 rye is sown with the grass, it strikes root quickly, and protects 

 the young grass and holds the soil till a sod is formed. When 

 rolling fields are planted in corn, it is an excellent plan to sow 



