98 SHEEP FEEDING 



quoted regarding the remarkable results following these 

 methods. It is quite universally conceded by leading agri- 

 cultural men of to-day that the systematic pasturing of 

 crops is steadily increasing among our most progressive 

 farmers. There is no one farm practice that strikes as 

 directly at the very heart of the solution of two of our 

 most important farm problems as does this practice. It at 

 once relieves the farm-labor situation and looks surely to 

 the maintaining of soil fertility. It goes farther ; it supplies 

 what has been so aptly called the soil key, humus. Some 

 soil chemists tell us that soil fertility can be kept up by 

 the use of commercial fertilizers, and the humus supply 

 maintained by turning under green crops. Dean F. B. 

 Mumford, of the Missouri Agricultural College, has said, 

 " I consider it an economic crime to plow under crops to 

 maintain soil humus and fertility." His point is well taken, 

 for, when crops are properly pastured, the needs of the soil 

 are amply considered, and in most cases there is realized, in 

 addition, a direct financial return. The principles at the 

 base of the system are sound ; the practice is profitable, it 

 is permanent, it builds for posterity, and it gives promise 

 of a profitable agriculture for our boys and girls. 



