LESSONS FROM EXPERIENCE 331 



this means the land is idle for the first year the succeed- 

 ing crops will more than compensate for the loss. 



279. Rotations. The question of the most profitable 

 rotation is one that has not been conclusively answered, 

 but is one that is now under close observation by many 

 practical farmers and by the experiment stations. From 

 the information on hand the following would seem to be 

 the most profitable where straight grain growing is fol- 

 lowed : 



1st Year Summerfallow. 



2nd Year Wheat. 



3rd Year Oats and barley. 



Where mixed farming is followed the following ro- 

 tation has given good results and with modifications to 

 suit the needs of individual farmers is being adopted : 



1st Year Fallow, corn, sunflowers and roots. 



2nd Year Wheat seeded down to grass. 



3rd Year Hay. 



4th Year Pasture until after haying, then break and 

 backset. . 



5th Year Wheat. 



(ith ear Oats and barley. 



280. Importance of Organic Matter in Soil. The main- 

 tenance of organic matter in the soil is essential to keep 

 it friable and prevent baking. After a heavy rain the 

 fibre-depleted soil bakes and cracks and much moisture 

 is lost. In this district, with the exception of some of 

 the lighter soils here and there, soil-drifting is not a 

 problem. Within the last few years farmers throughout 

 the valley have been making more use of farmyard man- 

 ure and grass and clover crops for the purpose of main- 

 taining the soil fibre and returning some pjant food to 

 the older soils. 



