FIELD AND LABORATORY EXERCISES 147 



What Crops to Grow. The young farmer starting for himself 

 in a given locality will usually be guided in the selection of crops 

 by observing what crops are grown to good advantage in his 

 neighborhood. This is usually a wise course to follow. There are 

 a few respects in which it may be misleading. It is well also to 

 consult with the authorities of the State Experiment Station 

 regarding the adaptation of the soil and climate to the particular 

 crops desired. Recent changes in market conditions for the given 

 locality should also be studied. These may include new methods 

 of transportation or new industrial conditions in nearby cities. 



Much time may be saved by making such studies in advance, 

 even before the farm is purchased, if possible. Rotation courses 

 cannot well be established without knowing the possibilities of 

 the soil, and the suitability of crops to the climate, markets and 

 transportation facilities. 



It should be remembered by the young manager that it is 

 usually better to produce several kinds of crops than only one. 

 Diversified farming has many advantages: better rotations can 

 be planned; the returns may not always be so great, but they are 

 more certain year by year; the men and teams on the farm may 

 be used to better advantage; more livestock can be kept, and 

 thus more manure produced for the upkeep of the soil. 



FIELD AND LABORATORY EXERCISES 



1. Charts of Actual Rotation. Visit farms and gardens where systematic 

 rotations of crops are carried on. Make charts showing the rotation on each 

 of the fields and discuss the merits and demerits of these. If a number of places 

 are studied, the benefits of the system in each case should be considered with 

 reference to the objects in view by the owners. 



2. Rotation and Labor. Ctudy local rotations with reference to the amount 

 of labor required in putting in the crops used in the rotation, i. e., the number 

 of plowings required during the seasons of yield, the number of harrowings, 

 applications of fertilizer, etc. Suggest if possible any improvements, con- 

 sidering the fighting of insects, weeds and other enemies. 



3. Rotation and Nitrogen Supply. Find, if possible, a rotation system in 

 use in the vicinity which does not sufficiently provide for the natural supply 

 of nitrogen by growth of legumes. Suggest a plan by which more legumes 

 could be grown without changing the number of money crops during the sea- 

 sons of rotation. Calculate the increase in cost of producing these legumes 

 considering seed, sowing, and other items. Determine from this what saving 

 of commercial fertilizer or farm manure would be effected by the growth of 

 the legumes. In cases where no fertilizers are being used, determine what in- 

 crease in money crops would be necessary to overbalance the cost in growing 

 the legumes. Would the growth of the legumes improve the soil? 



4. Find examples of bad rotation or lack of rotation, showing some of their 

 disadvantages on those farms. Consider each of the ten points mentioned 

 in this chapter. 



