Kinds of Cover Crops 191 



cultivated crops are removed, and it is exceedingly 

 hardy. Rye may be sown upon the very moment of 

 the freezing up of the land, and it will sometimes 

 germinate the following spring. It is ordinarily best, 

 however, to sow it about a month or six weeks 

 before the land is expected to freeze up ; and for the 

 purpose of securing a cover, not less than one and 

 one -half bushels should be sown to the a<3re when 

 orchards are young. When the trees have begun to 

 shade the ground, a less quantity will answer. 



Another plant which is sometimes used to begin 

 the amelioration of intractable lands is Indian corn, 

 sown broadcast very thickly, six weeks or two months 

 before killing frost. Although it does not stand 

 the winter, it nevertheless affords an excellent cover 

 for the land and supplies besides a large amount 

 of herbage. 



Buckwheat may be used for the same purpose, 

 sown so late in the season that it will reach its 

 full height but will not go to seed. There is danger, 

 however, of using buckwheat too much, and only 

 an occasional crop of it if any at all should be 

 used upon orchards which are growing upon the hard 

 types of lands. 



Turnips and rape are also to be recommended 

 in certain cases. Turnips sown late in July in the 

 north make a complete cover of the land, and fur- 

 nish so much bulk and moisture as to greatly 

 improve the character of the soil when they are 

 plowed under the following spring. Turnips are 

 especially good to begin the process of improve- 



