24 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



In planning these rotations the first thing to consider is 

 the crops one desires to raise. This will be based upon the 

 crops most profitable for the locality, and best adapted 

 to the soil in question, and the preferences of the land 

 owner. These crops are then arranged into one or more 

 suitable rotations in such a way as best to meet the prob- 

 lems of maximum yield, economy of labor, and, in short, 

 greatest net profit ; considering not merely the present 

 but a period of at least several years. It may very often 

 happen that to plan a satisfactory rotation one will find 

 it advisable to include for the sake of the rotation a crop 

 which in itself is not especially desirable or profitable. 

 Thus some farmers say they would not grow wheat except 

 that it makes a convenient crop with which to seed down 

 to meadow or pasture. In arranging crops in a rotation 

 some of the following principles may well be kept in mind : 



A rotation should usually contain at least one legume 

 crop, a sod producing crop, and a cultivated crop. Other 

 crops may be worked in with these as desirable. 



A long rotation with a great variety of crops may be the 

 best from a fertility standpoint but is seldom practicable to 

 carry out. Usually a rotation of three to six years is most 

 suitable. 



Deep-rooted crops should be alternated with shallow 

 rooted crops when the latter are to be grown. 



Potatoes do especially well following a clover or alfalfa 

 sod or buckwheat stubble. Barnyard manure is best 

 applied to some crop a year previous to potatoes rather 

 than the same season. 



Corn is a rank feeder and can utilize quantities of coarse 

 manure better than most other crops. It does especially 

 well on recently turned sod ground. 



For a poor soil low in organic matter, a four or five 



