1 30 AGRICULTURE 



land is plentiful but labor scarce, are raised vast crops of grain 

 and great quantities of stock. 



It will not do to grow a crop simply because it was a profitable 

 one for our fathers and grandfathers. Labor and market condi- 

 tions change, and the successful farmer, like the successful man 

 in other fields of business, must adapt himself to circumstances. 

 New England was once the wheat farm of the United States. Since 

 large crops of grain have been produced on the prairie lands, 

 New England farmers have found it more profitable to raise other 

 crops. In turn, the vast wheat crops of the Northwest will prob- 

 ably compel the prairie states to seek profit in other branches of 

 agriculture. 



Changed labor conditions have brought about changes in south- 

 ern farming. Deprived of the vast fixed element of slave labor, 

 the landowners have been forced to reduce their acreage of cotton 

 and to raise at home their food supplies. They are finding profit 

 in diversified farming and stock raising. 



Methods of Cultivation. Special methods of cultivation depend 

 largely on soil and season, and on the habits of growth and feeding 

 powers of each special crop. There are, however, some general 

 principles applicable to most cases. A deep, fertile seed bed and 

 thorough tillage rarely fail to pay their cost, and a profit besides. 



Season for Planting. Other things being equal, the most 

 profitable crop is the one planted at the most favorable season. 

 In sections subject to summer drought, it is important to plant 

 crops as early as possible. This gives them the advantage of the 

 spring and winter store of moisture, and enables them by early 

 growth and vigorous condition better to resist dry weather. The 

 cultivation of a crop should put it in the best possible shape for 

 the average and usual conditions of temperature and moisture of 

 the section. 



