Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-06-08


peas, beans, and other pulse; but here the
class is ended to embrace oil which arc
considered as ameliorating or cnriching
cabbagcs-and clover. These latter are
not only less exbaustng than the culmif.
erous class, as most Of them do not mature
their seeds, and all, on account Of their
broad system Of leaves, draw more or less
nourishment from the atmosphere, but they
improve the condition of the soil, by dlvid
ing and loosening il, with their tap and
| dubious roots. For these reasons they are
called ameioroting or cnrching crops;
and as they generally receive manure, and
drill culture, they are peculiarly adapted
| 10 enrich and fit the soil for the culmferous
class.
Good husbandry enjoins, that culmiferous
and legumlnous crops should alternate, or
follow each other in succession, except
when grass is made to intervene; aud it
matters little which crops are selected
from the two classes. The good judgment
of the farmer may here be exercised to
determine which are likely to be 10 him
the most advantageous. 1t may be proper
to note two exceptions to this rule Indian
corn may, under certain contingencies, be
made to precedc or follow another grain
crop to advantage, and oats may sometimes
be pfofitaby sown, as a fallow crop, to
| supersede n naked falow, preparatory to a
crop Of wheat or rye. Some soils, it is
true, are more favorable to one kind OF
crop than another; as for instance, calca
| reous clays and strong loans are better
adapted TO wheat, than slllcious gravels
and sands; while the latter are better
fitted to carry Indian corn. turnips and
clover, than cays. In other respects, such
as the exhaustion of the ground, it is q
matter Of little interest with the farmer,
what crops Of each class are chosen to
alternate with each other.
Farm stock seems necessarily to be en-
braccd IN the system Of alternate hus bandry.
Cattle convert the bulky products Of the
farm. into meats, butter, cheese, &c.
These concentrated products are carried TO
market at comparatively trlflng expense.
| Cattle also furnish labor, ard manufacture
| into manure the straw, stalks. and other
offal and litter of the farm, necessary to
keep up its fertility; for without manure,
the soil will grow poor, and its products
annually diminish. Manures, we repeat,
are the main source Of fertility to our soils.
and the substantial food of our crops.
Our supply of these will depend on the
amount Of stock we feed upon the farm /;
and the amount Of stock we can keep
proftably, will again depend upon the
fertility Of the soil, and the consequent
abundance of It's products. So tina, grain
aud grass husbandry, and cattle husbandry,
are reciprocally and highly beneficial to
each other. 1t is maintained, by practical
men, that grounds under good tllage, will
yield as much cattle food, in roots, straw,
&c. as the same grounds would yield in
grass, thus leaving the grain a. extra profit.
The subject Of clover, which we have
classed with amelioralng crops, merits a
further aud distinct notice. We find that
clover was cultivated at an early period by
the Femings, and constituted an important
item in their excellent system Of husbandry.
It's introduction into Britain is Of compare
atively modern date. Forty years ago its
culture may be said to have commenced in
the United States; but its progress was
slow till within the last few years; and
even now, large portions Of our country
are practically ignorant Of it's improving
and enriching qualities. Its benefits have
been great wherever it has been introduced,
accompanied with the use of gypsum and
luC WV ultuCItV uCCu tuC
principal basis of good husbaudry. But
their benefits are capable Of being far
more widely extended. We consider the
use Of clover for cattle food, great as it is,
but of secondary importance to the farmer
its most profitable use being to feed
crops and amellorate the soil. No green
crop is so serviceable for the latter Purpo.
SEES and we are satisfied from experience,
that the practice Of habitually sowing it
with small grains, for these purposes,
where it is not intended to stock with grass
seeds, is an excellent one. on all ground:
adapted to its growth. Upon this subjec,
we quote as follows from Chaptal:
, Artificial grass lands constituting ,
part of the alternating system, and in con.
adisiiucton to natural and permanent
grass lands] ought now to be considered
as forming the basis Of agriculture. These
furnish fodder, the fodder supports cattle
and the cattle furnish manure, labor, al,
, all The means necessary to thorough sys
TEN Of cultivation"