THE EARTH'S BOUNTY 



frost, and adds humus to the soil. Moreover, 

 the cropping of the growing plants strength- 

 ens and increases root growth, equalizing the 

 surface for a uniform start the following 

 spring. 



Our choice of crops was, of course, con- 

 trolled by the needs of the stock we keep. 

 Poultry and game require corn, wheat, oats, 

 clover, beets and onions; cows, corn, soy beans, 

 millet, wheat bran, hay, carrots; sheep, about 

 the same, with rape added; horses, oats, corn, 

 carrots, hay; and for all, straw is used as bed- 

 ding. 



The rotation is also arranged, as nearly as 

 possible, to assign to the different soils the 

 most congenial crops; yet deep and shallow 

 rooting plants should be alternated on every 

 soil, no matter what the texture. The fine, 

 hair-like rootlets that wander far into the 

 earth, draw up a wealth of plant food and 

 vitality, untouched by the shallow roots; be- 

 sides, top roots add considerably to the supply 

 of humus. 



71 



