26 BULLETIN 694, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



The average crop acreage devoted to wheat (14.2 per cent) puts 

 this crop a little below the average of the total crop acreage of the 

 more profitable farms. Wheat is an important cash crop, and while 

 at normal prices it is not always highly profitable from an acre basis, 

 it is nevertheless essential to a well-balanced and diversified farm 

 system in this region, especially on the heavier types of soil. Like 

 the oat crop, wheat is of value to the farm system in that it affords 

 a good means of getting a stand of clover and timothy for meadow 

 and pasture. Under the conditions found normally in Lenawee 

 County the combined acreage of wheat and oats should about equal 

 that of the acreage of hay in the rotation. 



Barley holds a minor position from the standpoint of the area as a 

 whole and is of little consequence as a cash crop. The figures show, 

 however, that barley is still important as a feed crop and is much 

 in favor with some farmers. 



The average acreage of hay (31.7 per cent) puts that crop well up 

 toward the limit to which this crop may well be grown under the 

 conditions now existing here. In any diversified farming region 

 there are two important factors which tend to keep the acreage of 

 hay from fluctuating materially. These are market prices, and the 

 returns 'it is possible to get from feeding hay to live stock. Condi- 

 tions which would materially affect either or both of these factors for 

 a considerable period of time would cause a change in the acreage 

 which should be devoted to the hay crop, but under the present con- 

 ditions hay on the average farm of the region seems to have found 

 its proper status. 



CROP ROTATIONS. 



There are several cropping systems in vogue in Lenawee County. 

 Fixed rotations are the rule rather than the exception in this sec- 

 tion. Some of these rotations do not meet present conditions, how- 

 ever, as well as might be desired, in that they do not provide for 

 sufficient acreages of the more profitable crops. 



The greater number of the farms studied follow a five-year rota- 

 tion. The most popular rotation of this class is (1) corn, (2) oats, 

 (3) wheat, (4 and 5) grass two years. The five-year rotation next 

 in importance is as follows: (1) corn, (2) oats (or wheat or barley), 

 (3, 4, and 5) grass three years. One encountered still less frequently 

 is (1) corn, (2) corn, (3) oats, (4) wheat, (5) grass. This rotation is 

 very desirable as it allows for two fields of corn rather than one, 

 furnishes oats enough for feed, and perhaps a small surplus for sale, 

 enough wheat for a substantial cash crop, .and hay enough for the 

 average farm. In many instances it might be well to extend this 

 rotation into one of six years' duration by allowing the grass to re- 

 main two years before plowing it up. Where it is not desirable to 



