Show leguminous CROPS CALLED TRIPLE THREAT TO EROSION legumes are a triple throat threat to soil erosion according to a new department of agriculture publication which explains why farmers in all parts of the country are turning more and more to legume crops for soil and water conservation since most leguminous crops produce a dense leafy top growth they immediately check erosion by shielding the soil from falling raindrops at the same time they they retard surface water runoff run off legumes add organic matter to the soil which makes it more absorptive and finally they pull nitrogen out of the air and place it in the soil where it can be utilized by following crops which in themselves guarantee some measure of soil protection the publication another in a seri series es of leaflets dealing with the various crops crop and crop cropping Ding practice valuable for boll boil conservation was written by dr A J pickers Pic of the soil conservation service the leaflet no is entitled legumes in soil conservation practices A copy may be obtained from the united states department of agriculture washington D C |