114 



COVER CROPS 



The objections to turnips are that they furnish no nitrogen, but 

 they do have a large amount of sulfur and other ill-smelling 

 constituents which are likely to be very offensive in the spring 

 when the crop is rotting down and before it can be plowed under. 

 There is a further objection that they are likely to live over 

 winter and go to seed, making rather an unsightly appearance 

 to people who are easily worried by such things. They have not 



Fig. 45. — Buckwheat as a cover crop. One of the most satisfactory crops for this purpose, 

 especially where soil conditions are not of the best. 



proved a really serious weed but are merely a little .too con- 

 spicuous with their gorgeous yellow flowers. 



Dwarf Essex Rape. — So far as the writer's experience and 

 observation go this is the cheapest of all covers, excepts weeds, 

 and it is by no means a bad crop to use. It will grow anywhere, 

 grows late in the autumn, and usually survives the winter, so 

 that it catches and holds the elusive nitrates, furnishes a fine lot 

 of humus, and makes a surprisingly good cover, as it has a very 



