because it affords cover and protection in winter, preventing both 

 damage from wind and washing; produces a large amount of vege- 

 table matter sufficiently early in the season to be plowed under 

 and followed by a crop to be harvested. Seed broadcast, 2 to 3 

 bushels per acre. 



Suited to light soils, characterized by extremely 

 Buckwheat. rapid growth in warm weather, killed by 



frosts, valuable especially in preventing growth 

 or subduing weeds and producing a large amount of vegetable 

 matter within a short period of time. Seed broadcast, 1 bushel 

 per acre. 



Suited to the lighter soils, characterized by 

 White mustard. rapid growth and hardiness, valuable for 



n'trogen conservation, will make a good 

 growth before cold weather if put in after early potatoes or sown 

 in corn at the time of the last cultivation. Seed 5 to 6 pounds 

 per acre if sown in corn; one-half that quantity alone broadcast. 



Suited to medium soil. There are two 

 Rape. classes — Spring, represented by Dwarf Essex, 



and Winter. The latter is not hardy in most 

 parts of Massachusetts. Where it can be grown, especially valuable, 

 it starts into growth extremely early in spring and furnishes a 

 large amount of vegetable matter in season to plow under for most 

 crops. Dwarf Essex rape may be sown after harvesting an early 

 crop, being very hardy, continues to grow until late in the autumn, 

 especially valuable for nitrogen conservation. Seed broadcast 3 

 to 5 pounds per acre. 



Legumes 



All the crops included in this class have the capacity to gather 

 nitrogen from the air. They will do this, however, to an important 

 extent only when the following conditions are met: 



1. The soil must be neutral or alkaline. 



2. It must be stocked with bacteria of the right kind or they 

 must be supplied. In the case of legumes which have commonly 

 been grown in the locality the appropriate bacteria are usuall}' 

 abundant. When a legume new to a locality is to be grown the 

 bacteria should be supplied either in the form of a culture or by the 

 use of loam from a field where they are abundant. Cultures are 

 now commercially prepared and if of good quality are generally 

 to be preferred to soil.* 



3. It must not contain a large amount of nitrogen in the form 

 of available compounds. If it does the legume will take most of 

 its nitrogen from the soil and will not draw upon the air to any 

 considerable extent. 



* Cultures may be obtained of the " Department of Microbiology," Mass. Agricultural Col- 

 lege, Amherst. A charge of 25 cents is made, which covers cost and postage on sufficient for one 

 bushel of seed. 



