Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1830-08-09
ROTATION IN CROPS.
Chester County, Penn. july 20, 1873,


:. s. SKINNER, ESQ.
In compliance with the request Of" sub
Scriber,' in the Farmer of the 10th inst pro-
pose to offer few additional particulars, reIa-
tive 10 our mode of farming, in this district oil
country; though my former communication, in
fact, exhibns the principal features OF the sys
ZEN which is most approved here. The SUBJ
ordinate operations, such as cuitivating more
or less OF roofs teedIng hogs or sheep, making
butter, &c.-may be varied according 10 the
demands OF the times, or 10 suit The local Cir
cumStances of the farmer, but the main OBJ eci,
as we apprenend. is 10 improve the Condition
ct NE land ny Ju llcIous rotation Of crops, aud
70 get the pasture fields and moving grounds
covered with mellow, productive sod full
OF valuable grass roots, aud clear of mulllns,
brIars, daisies, thistles, and all sorts of weeds
mad rubbish. TO this add my own convic-
ton, that the farm should be divided into such
number OF fields, as to allow them all in sue.
csssIon, TO repose four or five years in pasture.
II IS Usual, here. TO let the land rest about three
years IN grass but | am satisfied that, where
the soils duly improved, and well filed with
me roots of useful hen bage, it would he adysn
'dgeons 10 ertend The term Of pasiurage. In
'his case, the leading object with the farmer
would be the feeding OF cattle, or i, he lived
near enough TO market, and had a good, cold
spring house, he nigh, find his account in a
oary. Our best farmers in this region, have
generally turned out their attention to feedin 2
cailIe,-aS being less aborious than a dairy, at
the distance we are from the cty-and less ex-
hausilng 10 the land. than severe cropping,
with grain but sstill each field takes IT'S turn,
N regular succession. in the manner described
IN my last, Root crops are not much attended
q ri Uy far Ia 1.
~ use,-p aued aloag the margins of'he In-
dina corn fields. However valuable the escu
ien' roots may be found, in European agrcu-
'1tS II does not appear to me, that they will
ever become prominent objects of attention in
'h's country, where the Indian cora can be-
'"tsro 50 successfully. Al any rate. our main
'eadhce IN Chester county, next after feeding
S'VcN' IS upon oar crops oi Indian corn, barley,
anu wheat The number Of horned cattle,
"ogs and sheep, which can he fed on a farm OF
gwen SIZE, OF course depends on the quality
d"a condition Of the land. a good farm OF
men'Dtn size, (say with 100, or 100 acres, of
cultivated iand) will feed from 20to 30 bull
'ocSs' averaging about 900 pounds each and
'nese w'll make a sulhciency Of manure 10 keep
me land In good order. Hogs are not usually
,eo N any great numbers, but every farmer
Keeps eaoagh to supply his family. aud also to
Spd'e some hams and bacon for the market.
.'nneep are frequently procured from other dis
'"'s, and fa'iened for the butcher; but the
breeding OF Hooks does not seem TO be exactly
e''.ed to our small, highly cultivated farms.
o"Pei 90 moi relish our rank, artificial grasses,
o. "nch us The spontaneous growth OF com
p"fa'~eiy sterile hills and am inclined 20
max me extensive ranges OF oer mountainous
"''''cis VII he found much better adapted 10
''e 'ahiaS OF large Gocks. Our farmers are
eehr'h'y good economists. and keep sheep E.
nopgb 10 olothe their families 10 winter ; but
ofyond that, they rarely go, for the reason
1feauy suggested. Our surplus grain is either
''u 70 stock, or sold 20 the merchant mllers
~. feahy monev,--as the state OF the markets
may render eligible. The barley crop, OF course
b'eS 10 The brewers. The best moving fields
''' 7oout two tons OF hay, 10 the acre and
', o"tees Is 10 nov only as much ground as
"'i' suffice 10 keep we'll, through the winter,
rs many cattle IS We can fees! TAT, the ensuing