. Diversified farming in the cotton belt. Agriculture; Crop rotation. 14 ALFALFA AND SWEET CLOVER ON EVERY FARM of legumes into the farm rotation will not increase indefinitely the productivity of the soil. Liberal applications of phosphoric acid and potash must be made where the soil does not contain an abundance of these elements. The farmer who gi'ows leguminous crops and keeps good live stock wants to know whether to use the treated or untreated phosphate rock to increase the yield of his legumes and improve his soil. The conclusions drawn from a careful study of the results obtained at se
. Diversified farming in the cotton belt. Agriculture; Crop rotation. 14 ALFALFA AND SWEET CLOVER ON EVERY FARM of legumes into the farm rotation will not increase indefinitely the productivity of the soil. Liberal applications of phosphoric acid and potash must be made where the soil does not contain an abundance of these elements. The farmer who gi'ows leguminous crops and keeps good live stock wants to know whether to use the treated or untreated phosphate rock to increase the yield of his legumes and improve his soil. The conclusions drawn from a careful study of the results obtained at several experiment stations are that on a very poor soil, acid phosphate will pay better for a few years at any rate, even if the leguminous crops are turned under, but that on a very fertile soil raw phosphate rock will pay better, especially when used with stable manure or leguminous crops. In most cases it would seem to be advisable to use a hght application of acid phosphate with the untreated phosphate rock the first year and some time for several years, until the latter gets into action. Legumes used as winter cover crops not only transfer nitrogen from the air to the soil, but at the same time reduce the leaching out of the plant food already present in the soil to the minimum. More humus and nitrogen in the soil and more winter and early spring grazing are probably the greatest needs of the south. These needs can be fully satisfied by planting such crops as the vetches or the winter clovers. In discussing the subject of legumes as a winter cover crop. Dr. Tait Butler says: "For many j'ears to come the plowing under of crops grown as winter cover crops will be the most practical and profitable method of increasing the fertility of our soils and rapid increase is not likely to occur until this method becomes general as a frequent and constant ; Leguminous Crop Rich in Protein The leguminous crops are especially rich in protein, which furnishes material fo
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectagriculture, bookyear
