362 RURAL NEW YORE 



it often overrides tlie influence of the type of soil 

 on crop production. This is well illustrated hy the 

 distribution of fruit and of certain special crops 

 such as beans and Imps. Botli of these latter require 

 a fairly rich calcareous soil, but beans need a dry 

 harvest season. Hops do not re(]uire so dry a har- 

 vest time. Their distribution within soil rej^ions 

 follows lines of rainfall. Systematic investigation 

 of local climate in relation to agricultural production 

 should be instituted. 



Crop ecology, or the relation of important varieties 

 of plants to all the external conditions under which 

 they will thrive, is also in need of more attention. 



3. The crop, quite as much as tlie soil, may be the 

 object of improvement for larger production. Re- 

 gional adaptation of varieties has not been worked 

 out thoroughly. The present distribution is the re- 

 sult of unconscious adjustment by farmers to the re- 

 sults of their own experience. This of course has 

 value, but something can he done by systematic study 

 by the field survey method to set down the limits of 

 this adaptation. A broad view of environmental 

 factors, such as soil, climate and topography, as well 

 as of market conditions should be taken. 



More uniformity in the varieties of crops grown in 

 a region will not only simplify the problems of pro- 

 duction but will also aid in marketing, since larger 

 lots and better grading can be secured. These have a 

 definite advertising value. 



Crop insurance is practicable only within limits. 

 It can be applied ^vith most success where those natu- 



