PROFITABLE FARMING. 69 



turing at the same time, when planted in proximity to 

 each other, will cross and become mixed. 



Melons, cucumbers, squashes, and others of that fam- 

 ily, should not be planted near each other if the object 

 be to save seed from the crops. They will mix, each 

 vegetable will become tainted more or less with the others 

 and consequently be ruined. 



TURNING UNDER GREEN MANURING CROPS. 



The practice of many farmers of turning under pea 

 vines, buckwheat, clover and other green crops, for the 

 purpose of enriching land, is a useless expenditure of 

 labor. Such crops, when permitted to mature and decay 

 upon the surface, are far more enriching to the soil than 

 if turned under green. Turning up soil to the heating 

 rays of the sun does not benefit it. Shade it if you wish 

 to enrich the soil. Break deep during the winter and 

 throw it up in ridges, that the freezing and thawing may 

 act upon it, thereby disintegrating, decomposing and ren- 

 dering it friable and mellow. 



ROOT CROPS, ETC. 



All such crops as beets, turnips, carrots, parsnips, 

 sweet potatoes, and Jerusalem artichokes, are exceedingly 

 valuable as stock food during winter. It is as easy to 

 make a hundred bushels of either one of the above named 

 crops as it is to make ten bushels of corn. Carrots in 

 the Southern States, and parsnips, both North and South, 

 may be left in the open ground the entire winter, and will 

 keep perfectly sound. They may be fed to horses, as well 

 as to cows, and also to hogs, to very great advantage. 

 Fruits and melons are as necessary for the health and 

 good condition of your horses, cattle, etc., as for your- 

 self. Give them some occasionally ; they will never for- 

 get you for it. 



It is frightfully expensive to cultivate and harvest 



