Farmers' Bullitins Nos. 601-625 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 Excerpt: ...of which wheat growing and selling shall be a part? Finally, the item of labor must be considered. Is there labor available to handle the wheat crop without seriously hindering the other farm operations? If not, even if it is more profitable, it may be advisable to substitute rye and the practice of hogging it down. THE CORN CROP. The corn crop is a very important factor in the success of this system. On farms where corn yields are extremely low this plan would require the purchase of a large amount of corn, and it might not be feasible until the soil has been built up to a point where a fair yield of corn may be expected. It might be better in such cases to run the farm as a grain farm, with such legumes as soy beans or cowpeas as cash crops, until the soil has been built up to at least a moderate degree of fertility by this means and by the use of such green manures and other soil amendments as the farmer can afford under the circumstances. An alternative would be to reduce the number of hogs in proportion to the corn yield, say to three or four for each acre of rye, instead of six. By doing this the rye will last longer and less corn will be required. The possibility of securing at least fair yields of corn should be kept in mind in putting this plan in operation outside of the corn belt proper. With the precautions mentioned above, this system as a whole, or modifications of it, should be of value in the reorganization of a large number of farms in other sections as well. The system proper should always include two fields of corn, as shown in figure 2. One field should be cut and shocked and later shredded, in order to furnish bedding, while the fodder is being fed in the barn. All or a part of the other field should be hogged down as it may seem wise t...