416 DRY LAND FARMING 



The stubbles of plants likewise differ greatly in the 

 amount of the humus which they bring to the land. 

 The amount thus brought is proportional to the density 

 of the stubbles and to the length of the same. Because 

 of their density the stubbles of grasses rank high in 

 furnishing organic matter. Wheat, when headed in har- 

 vesting the crop, may also be assigned a high place, not 

 because of its density, but because of the length of the 

 stubble that is thus left for burial. Peas furnish very 

 little stubble when the crop is harvested and the same 

 is true of vetches. 



In the future much attention will probably be given 

 to the growth of plants for burial in dry areas. The 

 quantity thus added in a single crop will enable the 

 farmer to furnish organic matter to the soil more quick- 

 ly than it can be furnished in any other way, but in 

 many instances it will not be possible to get any return 

 from the land the same season that a crop is buried for 

 such a use. This loss may be avoided in some instances 

 by burying the crop in conjunction with the summer- 

 fallow, as is shown in the division that follows. 

 The value of plants for such burial differs greatly. Le- 

 gumes hold first rank for such a use, because of the 

 nitrogen they bring to the soil, and because of their 

 quick decay. Some are more suitable than others, 

 because of the season at which they can be buried. 

 Such is winter rye that may be buried early in the sea- 

 son. Others have the recommendation that they grow 

 quickly. Such is buckwheat. 



Some time in the future farmyard manures will be 

 an important source of humus in dry areas. That, how- 

 ever, will not follow for many years to come, as the 

 farmers will center their efforts on growing*grain crops 

 for sale rather than on growing crops for feeding uses. 

 Manure buried in the soil in suitable quantities and at 



