The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-11-27
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ROTATION OF CROPS
IS SAFE FARMING
BY ]. G. HANEY
Agricultural Extension Dept
International Harvester Co,

= international Harvester Co. =
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That the older farms Of the North
west are yielding only half what they
should is demonstrated by the fact
that land manfred, planted to corn
and given good cultivation, will yield
twice as much as land not so treated.
On our Grand Forks farm in 1917,
manfred corn land yielded 20 bushels
of wheat, 60 bushels Of oats and 80
bushels of barley per acre. This is
more than double the average Of
neighboring farms. Our corn, alfal-
ia and pasture fed to cattle has been
profitable, besides enabling us to en-
rich the land, to the extent Of doubling
our grain yields.
The time of the one-crop, small
grain farm, has passed, consequently
the farm that does not devote one
half to two-thirds Of the land to corn,
alfalfa and grass, and keep enough
stock to utilize these feeds, is "behind
the tines.
The Best Rotation
Each farm must work out the rota-
tion best suited to it's needs. We
practice three year rotation, corn,
grain, alfalfa or sweet clover. This
requires blowing only 1J3 of the land
each year. The sweet clover has
proven the most valuable crop of the
three. The sweet clover hay and corn
fed to stock will produce enough man
ure to cover one field each year. This
is put on the sweet clover stubble and
plowed under for corn. The corn
land is disked as a preparation for
grain, and sweet clover seeded with
the grain. We also keep one field
in alfalfa, and rotate it once in five
years.
Benefits from Diversified Farming or
Crop Rotation
There are so many farms that are
already experiencing the beneficial re-
suits derived from diversified farming
that it would hardly seem worth while
arguing the question further.
Briefly, the farm that is divided into
four or more fields, and these fields
, cropped, pastured and MANFRED ac-
cording to previously arranged pro-
gram of rotation, has the following
advantages:
|. Fertility is maintained by grow
ing clovers and putting manure back
on the land-yields will increase.
2. The land does not dry out or
blow so readily, the physical condi-
ton is improved.
g. Weeds, wildcats, mustard and
thistles, plant diseases, etc., are more
easily controlled.
4. A variety of feeds is available
for live stock, so that none need be
bought.
5. The work does not all come at
one time, and there is profitable work
to be done the year round.
6. Insures against crop failures
Ia good corn year is usually a poor
wheat year, and poor corn year is
usually favorable to small grains.
Live stock neved fails if feed is avail
able for them. There is always some
thing to sell or eat-eggs, cream,
sheep, hogs or cattle.
Z. More people live on farms and
take an active interest in local ac-
Invites, better roads, schools, churches
and homes. Becoming a diversified
farmer makes one better and more
satisfied citizen.
Now is the Time to Diversity
Corn is the most important crop
to consider in making this change.
AS feed for live stock it has no equal
and the thorough cultivation of the
soil, which is secured in growing it,
is just what is needed. The need of
such a crop is so great that we must
make every effort possible to secure
the benefits which may be derived
from it. This will be done by Civ
ing more attention to producing accli-
mated, home grown varieties and care
fully saving seed. We will have
years like 1915 and 1917 when corn
will be almost failure, but there is
no crop that is not liable to fail oc-
casionally. Sun-fowers may find
place and prove more certain than