SUITING THE CROP TO THE SOIL 63 



Clay soils are moist, and therefore the best crops for 

 them are those requiring much water. As shown in an 

 earlier chapter, a crop of hay requires an immense amount 

 of water. Timothy grass, Johnson grass, red clover, and 

 most hay plants, therefore, do well on clay soils. Apples 

 need plenty of water and accordingly thrive on the best 

 grades of clay soil. Certain kinds of clay soils afford the 

 best summer pastures. 



Hilly, rolling, and level land. Fields that consist of 

 steep hillsides have a tendency to wash. They must be 

 terraced ; but then the terraces and the original steepness 

 of the hill prevent the use of labor-saving implements. For 

 this reason it costs more to cultivate such fields than rolling 

 or nearly level land. The tendency to wash is reduced if 

 the hillsides are covered with a uniform coat of pasture 

 plants, such as Japan clover and Bermuda grass (Fig. 42). 



Level lands are often poorly drained and in the spring are 

 slow to get in condition for plowing. When drained, 

 either by man or naturally, such lands can be very econom- 

 ically cultivated. For this reason, drainage ought to be 

 the first thing to receive attention. The best labor-saving 

 implements can be used and, if desired, the crop can be 

 cultivated in hills or checks so as to be plowed in two 

 directions, thus almost avoiding hoeing. 



Rolling lands are those with moderate slopes. They 

 have most of the advantages of level lands, and in addition 

 are more easily drained. 



Crops for lime soils. Most cultivated plants grow well 

 on a lime soil, while a few are suited only to such a soil. 

 Alfalfa and red clover, both of them forage plants belong- 



