CROP-ROTATIONS 



clover, and the soil is enriched by the roots and 

 stubble, while the hay is converted into manure. 



The second year the hay is nearly clear timothy. 

 The sod should not be left until it becomes thin, 

 but should be turned under while heavy, no mat- 

 ter if this must be after one season's harvest, or 

 two. A sod stands three or four years for har- 

 vest on some farms, and without heavy fertiliza- 

 tion there is decrease in fertility. 



Two Legumes in the Rotation. If all the 

 crops of this five years' rotation, excepting wheat, 

 were fed on the farm, and if all the manure were 

 saved and rightly applied, there would be little 

 or no difficulty in maintaining fertility, provided 

 the soil were friendly to clover. The fact is that 

 much such land has grown poorer, and it is known 

 that another legume is needed in the rotation. 

 The substitution of the soybean or cowpea for 

 the oat crop gives excellent results. It makes a 

 large supply of rich hay, and it fits the soil nicely 

 for winter grain. The use of the breaking-plow 

 is escaped. The surface of the land is in good 

 tilth, especially if the legume was planted in rows 

 so that cultivation could be given. A cutaway 

 harrow, run shallow, and a roller make the seed- 

 bed. Near the southern edge of the oat belt this 



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