SPECIAL FARM TOPICS 201 



dividual leaves from becoming over-large and coarse, while in- 

 creasing the total yield per acre at the same time. Higher topping 

 to a certain extent may also be practiced to accomplish the same 

 purpose, although the higher the plant is topped the less uniform- 

 ity will there be in the leaves from different portion of the plant. 

 (Y. B. 1908.) 



Intensive Methods Practically Applied. The good results fol- 

 lowing intensive farming is well illustrated by the work done by 

 the Boys' Clubs organized in all parts of the country. The prin- 

 cipal object of the clubs is to teach intensive farming, and the 

 plowing, planting and cultivating by members of the clubs are of 

 the intensive character. The accompanying table of what has been 

 accomplished in this line is an object lesson worthy consideration. 

 It should be noted that each of these boys prepared his land in the 

 fall or winter. They not only plowed deep but harrowed well be- 

 fore planting. Some planted corn following clover, cowpeas, or 

 rye, and some planted cowpeas in their corn. All secured good 

 seed. The record is for one acre. 



ROTATION OP CROPS.* 



Crop rotation has become one of the most important problems 

 in the agricultural development of the country; closely connected 

 as it is with other features of farm management. It is one of the 

 most difficult and complex problems that confronts the agricul- 

 turist, and it cannot be said that any infallible system has been 

 fully developed. The principal difficulties arise from the fact that the 

 establishment of a successful rotation system is a long-time prop- 

 osition, involving plans reaching many years into the future, and 

 the difficulties vary in each locality, owing to soil and climate con 

 ditions and access to market. 



Every farmer has realized the dangers which follow growing 

 the same crop too frequently on the same land as well from the 

 inroads of disease and insects. In every section of the country 

 it has been forced upon the farmer that if he desires success he 

 must do something to restore and maintain the fertility of his soil, 

 and crop rotation is one of the best means for accomplishing this 

 result. It is now acknowledged everywhere to be an essential fea- 

 ture of good husbandry. 



What It Is. Systematic crop rotation is letting one crop fol- 

 low another on the same tract of land in order to rest the soil in 

 one sense, and in another sense to restore to the soil some of the 

 plant food taken away by the preceding crop or crops. (Y. B. 

 1905; B. P. I. B. 187.) 



Chemical, physical and biological studies of the soil, and ex- 

 periments determining how crops yield under varying conditions, 

 as in continuously growing a given crop, or in growing crops in 

 rotation, are gradually unraveling the mysteries of soil fertility. 

 The soil is so complex in its relation to crops that it has been and 

 still is one of nature's greatest puzzles. Its solid mineral particles, 

 making up the body of most soils, its small per cent of decaying 

 organic substance mainly of plant origin, its water distributed in 



For illustrations, see pages 1S3 and 668. 



