CROPS AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT 



upon the supply. If most crops are fed on the 

 farm, the manure is a leading source of fertility 

 for all fields and crops, and may be used once or 

 twice in the crop-rotation on every field. If the 

 manure is in small amount, due to a scheme of 

 farming involving the growing of crops for market, 

 the function of the manure may be only to en- 

 courage the starting of sods, in which legumes are 

 a leading factor. 



Direct Use for Corn. The practice of spread- 

 ing manure on grass land for corn is based upon 

 much good experience. The custom is nearly 

 universal in regions where corn is an important 

 part of a four, five, or six years' rotation, and all 

 of the corn and hay is fed on the farm. This 

 disposition of the manure permits the handling at 

 times when other work does not rush. The supply 

 carried over from the spring is put on in late 

 summer, and the manure made in the early part 

 of the winter can be drawn to the field fast as 

 made. Manure spread immediately before the sod 

 is broken is less effective, as no leaching of soluble 

 elements into the surface soil occurs before the coarse 

 material is buried in the bottom of the furrow. 



The use of fresh manures for corn is rational, 

 because corn is a gross feeder and requires much 



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