THE ROTATION OF FARM CROPS 65 
uniform and more certain yearly returns. When corn alone 
is grown, the farmer depends entirely on the yield and price 
of his corn for his profit. On land that can grow several 
crops profitably it is poor business to depend entirely on 
one crop for a profit and a living. 
Rotation FurRNISHES A BALANCED RATION 
For Live Stock 
It is necessary to grow several crops in order to have a 
balanced ration for live stock. Rotation of grain with legu- 
minous crops gives this balanced ration. Corn is very rich 
in starch. When it is grown extensively there is a tendency 
to feed a ration deficient’in protein. Since there is a large 
amount of protein in all the legumes, the ration can be bal- 
anced by growing and feeding clover, alfalfa, soy beans, 
ete. The first one hundred pounds of weight of spring pigs 
can be produced very cheaply if they have access to good 
clover or alfalfa pasture. Our principal profit in growing 
hogs is due to the fact that they are raised on clover and 
soy bean pasture. 
Wuat Is THE Brst Crop Rotation? 
This is the question that each farmer will have to solve 
for himself. Crop rotations should depend upon the size of 
the farm, the nature of the soil, the market demand for the 
different crops and the abundance or scarcity of labor. 
Again, a rotation that is good for one season may not 
be the best for another; but notwithstanding all this, every 
crop rotation should include at least one leguminous crop. 
A good five-year rotation, and one that will build up the 
land is,--corn two years, soy beans one year (or cowpeas), 
