JOHN P. NORTON'S ADDRESS. 389 



that of clay ; hence it has become a prominent feature in the 

 management of every farmer who is desirous of really advanc- 

 ing the value of his land. The plants used as green crops are 

 numerous, and before speaking of the theory or theories con- 

 nected with their operation, I may properly devote a few words 

 to the mention of those varieties which are most important in 

 this and other countries. Here, at least in the northern states, 

 almost the only green crop generally employed is clover. The 

 properties and appearance of this plant are so well known as to 

 require no description. Upon most soils it is easily grown, and 

 in those where it does not thrive naturally, skilful manuring 

 will generally bring it in. More would be gained by ploughing 

 under the crops of two successive years than in any other way, 

 but this plan would not work well on most soils, and there are 

 few farmers who would be willing to let land lie idle so long 

 as this, while it would bear any thing at all. Many prefer to 

 go on cropping until they scarcely get their seed back, and 

 then are obliged to let the land lie idle for a series of years in 

 place of one or two, until it has regained strength to bear 

 another scanty crop. Many too are unable to resist the temp- 

 tation to cut and carry away the clover if its growth is heavy. 

 Their intentions are good early in the season, but as haying 

 time approaches, they begin to think of the two or three tons 

 per ac^e of hay which might be obtained by cutting, and finally 

 the advantage of present gains more than counterbalances the 

 prospective improvement of the land. They afterwards plough 

 in the rowen, it is true, but that cannot make up for the far 

 heavier growth of which they have already robbed the soil. 

 Some excuse themselves by saying that so large a crop cannot 

 be got under, but it is not so, for this can be done by going 

 over the surface with a heavy roller in advance of the plough, 

 the clover then lies flat, and a plough with a sharp coulter 

 has no difficulty in turning it over completely. Others recom- 

 mend a heavy chain hung from the plough-beam so as to drag 

 the clover down before the plough share reaches it. On the 

 light soils of which I speak, these precautions will probably be 

 needless for some time to come. 

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