Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1855-06-22
THE FARM:
The GHrden...I'ke Orchard.
Rotation of Crops.

Although instances are frequently cited,
of certain plants being raised on particu-
lar spots of ground for year after year,
without any apparent diminution in the
produce, yet it is generally allowed that
rotation of crops is always of advantage,
and often of the greatest Importance. We
consider it as necessary as depth and mel
lowncss CT soil, and the regular application
of manure. Gardeners are sometimes
heard to complain of vegetables becom-
ing "tired" of the ground where they have
been long cultivated. They are attacked
by numerous diseases and insects, while q
deficiency is to be discovered in the
amount of the produce. As soon as this
is known some wiseacres will send many
miles, in order to procure new varieties of
seed, because the old ones have "degene-
rated"
A more certain method Of relief would
be to adopt good rotation of crops, which
is based on the we'll known fact, that the
several families of plants not only strike
their roots in different depths and in difie
rent directions, but draw different kinds
of nourishmcnt from the soil. When one
particular element of a vegetable is re-
moved from the soil, the vegetable can
not again be raised there, until that elc
ment be restored. 1t is, therefore, advi-
sable to alternate the crops, by which
means the land will have opportunity to
regain its original strength and fertility,
This is illustrated by Dame Nature her
self If old pastures were to be attentively
observed it would be found that the grass
es gradually change from season to season;
and in wood land, it would be discovered,
that an entirely different kind Of tree takes
the place of such as have decayed, Or have
been cut down. Thus the pine and others
of the conifern will succeed the oak, the
chesnut and other deciduous trees.
A rotation Is de5igued to prevent too
frequent recurrence Of the same species
upon particular spot. Some authors lay
down regular plans for the guidance of
their readers; but as the space annually
appropriated to different plants depends
upon circumsta nces,it will be readily seen
that all such courses or plans are difficult
Of application. Instead, therefore, of fol-
lowing this practice, VIC shall content our
selves with some general rules, which pos
sess the merits of simplicity and briefness,
so that the reader can adapt them to his
own wants.
In the first place, vegetables of The same
species shall not follow each other, but
return at as distant intervals as the case
will allow. Tuberous q tap roots should
be succeeded by those Of fbrous charac-
ter; perennials by ANNALS and plants
of dry, solid texture, or those left for
seed, by such as are succulent and juicy.
Ground which has necessarily been devo-
ted for a number Of years to the artichoke,
asparagus, rhubarb, strawberry, and the
like, should, as soon as they are removed
to other parts of the enclosure, be suhjec-
ted to strict rotation, and allowed to re-
cover those elements of fertility of which
it has been exhausted. Where the gar
den is divided into quarters, the vegeta-
bles can easily be made to take circuit
in every four or eight years
A little reflection will satisfy the intel
ligcnt reader, that by observing an alter
nation of crops, digging his soil to a
proper depth, and mauuring it abundantly,
he need have no fear of its losing its fer
tility, or of his choice vegetables degene-
rating.-Schcncks Garden Tert Book.
.~-~~-~-~~~-~~~~--~ >--~>---~~-
-