MANURING OF WINTER GREENS 67 



leguminous crops precede the winter-green crops, which 

 stand so much in need of nitrogen. 



This feature (there are plenty more to be dealt with 

 later) is one of the most important of the continuous- 

 cropping system. 



Further, farmyard manure is very rich in nitrogen, 

 and, since it will be a convenient time to apply at least 

 a portion of our farmyard manure when sowing the 

 winter greens, we shall after a time be able to get along 

 without much nitrogenous, or, other kinds of artificial 

 fertilisers. 



This statement, however, requires a little qualifica- 

 tion. Whilst our leguminous crops, by the time we 

 come to sow the winter greens, will have stored up a 

 large amount of nitrogen, this fertilising ingredient 

 may not be immediately available for the plant in its 

 very early stages. 



An early and a rapid growth with winter greens is all 

 important, and to ensure this it is generally very 

 advisable to sow, either with or immediately after 

 sowing winter-green seed, about ij cwt. of nitrate of 

 soda per acre, especially on light soils or in dry weather. 



As to the application of farmyard manure, this must 

 be varied according to circumstances. Generally 

 speaking, the wisest course to follow is to get on with 

 the tillage of the land and the sowing of the crop as 

 quickly as possible after the tares are removed, to 

 conserve as far as possible soil moisture. Then when 

 the crop has got into the rough leaf, the manure may 

 be carted on and spread at leisure. 



This spreading of manure on the surface on light 

 land and in dry districts is a great help in conserving 

 soil moisture. 



Another advantage of spreading manure after, 

 instead of before, tilling the land is that by the former 

 method the quick-working disc harrow and cultivator 



