FIELD, ORCHARD, AND GARDEN CROPS 129 



sands, of years of cultivation. By cultivation they have been given 

 a much wider range of soil and climate than their wild ancestors 

 had. But they still have preferences, often very decided ones, as 

 to climate, soil, moisture, and other conditions. Their yield is 

 largest in quantity and best in quality when these preferences are 

 regarded, and therefore it is to the farmer's interest to consider 

 them. His profits lie in producing at the least possible cost the 

 best possible crop. 



Climate. Climate is a matter of main importance. A warmth- 

 loving plant, such as cotton, will not grow in northern climates; 

 certain varieties of wheat do not flourish in warm sections. Crim- 

 son clover seldom does well in the North, and Canada peas are 

 usually unsatisfactory in the South. 



Soil. Soil has a decided effect on crops. On a sandy soil 

 most grain crops, especially wheat, are small in quantity and 

 inferior in quality; on that soil tubers and root crops thrive. 

 On a clay soil, on the other hand, root crops do not develop well, 

 but wheat and most other cereals and grasses thrive. 



Moisture. In their moisture requirements, also, plants vary 

 widely. The drought-enduring Kafir corn will grow where most 

 plants would die for want of water; moisture-loving rice will 

 thrive where most plants would be drowned. 



Conditions Determining Crops. Soil and climate, then, de- 

 termine the possibility of the crops on a farm; but it is market 

 and other conditions which, to a large extent, determine their 

 profitableness. 



The eastern states, where there are many towns and cities and 

 a network of railroads, are largely occupied with dairy farming, 

 poultry raising, and market gardening. In the-^uth, where 

 land is plentiful and labor has been abundant, are raised the great 

 labor-demanding staples, tobacco and cotton. In the West, where 



