392 Wisconsin state agricultural society. 
and still improve it ? So it has proven with me, and I believe tbe 
land derives more benefit from the roots alone, when they are ma¬ 
ture and ripe, than to turn the whole crop of clover in a green 
state, full of water and undeveloped nitrogenous matter, which 
will not be the case after the plant has matured its growth. In 
that way, the roots alone will furnish more vegetable food than the 
crop turned in a green state, particularly of a character to make a 
kernel of wheat, which is the thing we are working for. 
In reference to manuring land, the most benefit I have derived 
from manure was from being spread on the land after the first 
crop of clover was cut, letting the second crop of clover grow 
and shade the manure, which it will surely do, and lodge, keep¬ 
ing it moist, enabling the land to absorb the ammonia of the ma¬ 
nure. When the land is plowed, it will be found loose and fria¬ 
ble as a heap of ashes. In short, tbe great central idea in this 
whole thing is to mulch the land with green clover, if possible, 
and bring to its aid any other manurial agency that can be used. 
i 
I have not much sympathy with those who entertain the sum¬ 
mer-fallowing idea of improving the land, or to eradicate weeds, 
when a clover crop will do it so much cheaper, or a crop of corn, 
if properly tilled. Neither do I believe in the theory of keeping 
the surface thoroughly cultivated through the summer, leaving 
the ground exposed to the drouth and the heat of summer, drying 
out and evaporating a large part of the ammonia in the soil. 
Much more thoroughly will a crop of clover clean the land of 
weeds, particularly if there are two cuttings. I would not dis¬ 
parage tbe turning in of the clover, only allow it as much maturity 
as possible, not dead ripe, so as to have the straw completely dry ; 
that would be an error in the other direction. 
My aim is to show that two crops may be taken off and still 
improve the land. From the two crops of clover, as much profit 
can be made as from the very best crop of wheat. Frequently, 
the crop of seed will pay more profit than a good crop of wheat. 
So the farmer’s balance sheet of profits will be very much more 
than from half a crop of wheat, as is now practised in the country, 
with a prospect of a material increase of wheat after the clover. 
I frequently hear the remark, “ my clover kills in the winter.” 
To prevent this with young clover, do not turn on in the fall, but 
