from drouth while the other does not, wliat rate of planting would 

 YOU prefer for each field, and why? 



The manner of sowing (whether broadcast or drilled) is also im- 

 jiortant, especially with wheat. Either method may be followed in 

 *(iwing oats, but I prefer the drill because it distributes and covers 

 the seed more uniformly. 



Fall crops like wheat and rye should always be sown with the drill 

 in whicli case they will pass the winter more successfully. Can you 

 tell why? If you cannot, try both ways with wheat on your school 

 farm and watch the results. 



9. Rotation of Crops. The succession of crops on the farm has 

 much to do with their vigor, quality and yield. Corn can follow 

 almost an}- other crop better than itself and this is equally true of 

 all the other farm crops. It has been repeatedly and clearly shown 

 by farmers as well as })y experimenters that better results can be se- 

 cured by growing a variety of crops in a rotation than by growing 

 the same crop every year. In carefully conducted experiments at 

 Purdue University the yields have been fifteen per cent, to forty per 

 •cent, greater from rotative than from successive cropping. The more 

 important reasons for rotative cropping are (1) the crops are more 

 ■vigorous and sufl'er less from fungous diseases, (2) injurious insects 

 are held in check, (3) it is better for the soil, (-1) the yields are greater 

 and consequently the profits are increased. 



In choosing crops for a rotation we must select from those suited 

 to soil, climate, market and the needs of the live stock. In arranging 

 the order or succession of crops we should as far as it is practicable 

 try to have (1) a hoed crop follow a sown crop, (2) a slow maturing 

 cro]i succeed a quick maturing one. (3) a grass or root crop follow 

 «. grain crop, (4) a leguminous crop, as clover or peas, succeed a 

 farinaceous crop, as wheat or rye. So far as the soil is concerned 

 the followdng rotation would be satisfactory: (1) corn, (2) oats, (3) 

 potatoes, (4) wheat, (5) clover. The oats and potatoes might not 

 prove profitable in some localities, in which case the rotation might 

 be cut down to a three-course, consisting of (1) corn, (2) wheat, (3) 

 clover, which, though not the best for eiither the soil or the live stock, 

 is the most common one in the State. 



10. Inter-crops. In case there should be an interval of several 

 months between any two crops in the rotation the gap may often be 

 filled to good advantage by what is known as an inter-crop. The pur- 

 poses of the inter-crop are (1) to prevent the land from lying bare, 

 in which case valuable plant food might wash or leach away, and (2) 



