SAFE THOU A FARM 35 



cultivate like any other cultivated crop. They keep the culti- 

 vators running until it is impossible to get through the vines, 

 and then they either let them alone or sow crimson clover 

 seed, just as they would if they were cultivating corn. The 

 result is that they are able to give the orchard constant 

 cultivation and, at the same time, add at least one, and pos- 

 sible two, humus crops. 



I am always sorry to hear anyone say a word against 

 clover, and, therefore, it is a good plan to give a substi- 

 tute when the clover is drafted out by the cultivator. 



I remember once, when I was working my way through 

 college, four boys met in my room one night. In the 

 course of conversation, one said to the other, "Who is 

 paying your way?" That interested me, for I was sliding 

 through college on my wits, and I found it pretty hard 

 sliding. 



John said: "Father gave me ten acres of land; 

 mother lent me seed wheat ; and I took father's team and 

 tools and put in the whole ten acres. It is true, father 

 picked out the poorest ten acres on the farm, but in spite 

 of that, after I get the crop harvested and threshed, there 

 is enough left to keep me a-going pretty well." 



Dick said : "Father put aside a Poland China sow for 

 me, and the pigs and the pork from that sow are carrying 

 me through college. I do not feel a bit ashamed to ride 

 through college on a pig's back ; I find it a comfortable 

 seat, and that sow is to be respected." 



Then Tom spoke up: "You boys talk about your 

 wheat and your sows ; they are all right, but I have what 

 I call a good thing. I read in an agricultural paper, five 

 years ago, something about clover. Father would not spend 

 a cent for it, but I told him I would buy the seed and put 

 it in ; and he was to give me the increase in the rotation 

 of all crops that could be fairly counted to the clover. 

 Well, I bought the seed with the little money I had on 

 hand ; I put it in, and I tell you, boys, I am in clover, and 

 it is a mighty happy state to be in." 



Now, my friends, it always hurt my feelings to see that 

 boy wearing a new hat or budding out in a new suit which 

 clover had bought for him, while I was trimming off my 



