FIELD, ORCHARD, AND GARDEN CROPS 



18.7 IbS. 



i&rite. 



in order to obtain the large, plump grains. The best of this 

 should be used to sow a seed plot, and the remainder used for 

 the field crop. 



Any variety can be improved by raising seed every year in 

 a plot given special care and preparation. The grain should 

 always be graded, and the best used for the seed plot and the sec- 

 ond best for the field crop. Small and inferior yields are often 

 due to the use of poor seed, especially of inferior, shriveled spring 

 grain for fall seeding. 



Oats, Rye, and Barley. Oats, rye, and barley resemble wheat 

 in growth, but are stronger-feed- 

 ing plants and flourish under 

 less favorable conditions. They m p 

 should be preceded or followed y [e 

 by deep-rooted plants, prefer- GRAJN STRAW 



ably by nitrogen-gathering ones. Thjs djagram shows the amoum of ferti|ity 



These Small grains are Culti- removed from an acre of soil by a crop of 



vated in the' United States for oats yielding thirty bushels of grain and 2500 



Ibs. of straw. 



three purposes. 



First : their grain crop makes wholesome and nourishing food 

 for man and beast, and their straw is used for forage. Rye and 

 barley are used in the manufacture of alcohol. 



Second : these cereals make a good crop for green feed or for 

 hay if cut just before they mature, when the stalks contain most 

 nourishment. 



Third: they are used as winter cover crops. For this purpose 

 they are seeded in the fall; making their growth during the winter, 

 they keep the land from washing and use plant food which would be 

 wasted; they are then plowed under in the spring to supply the 

 land with humus. 



Rice, Rice flourishes in warm climates and is raised in the 



