Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1866-11-29
The American Farmer.
Worzhington G Le,ois, 50 S. Gay ST., Bal
tinsore-Price So Per Yeur-Norember

Worthington Dc Le,ois, 50 s. Gay ST., Bal
tinsore-Price So Per Yem-Nore,nbe,.
No.
The various systems of Field Rotation
Three, -Four, Five and Seven Field, are
fully discussed in the present and previous
numbers. These and the several articles
on '' Clover Culture, - 90 Our Homes, +" 1.-THE
value of our Lands &C., IN recent numbers,
indicate the thoroughly practical character
of the "Old Farmer" While the large
amount of matter on Fruit Growing, gath
cred from the best sources, show how well
the "Pioneer" Journal keeps itself at the
head of the Agricultural and horticultural
progress of the day
In all its leading departments of Field,
Orchard and Garden cultivation, and Stock
growing whether in its original or selected
matter, The Farmer shows direction which
is at once practical and scientific.
Its very apparent sympathy with South
ern interests has caused the American Far
mer to lose favor with {. certain class of
Northern readers and advertisers, and it'd
serves therefore, on every account, the sup
port OF Southern people.
Agriculture and fior,ieulture.
We cheerfully lay before our readers the
following from the american Farmer. for
November 1866:
A FIVE FIELD SYSTEM.
Notwithstanding what We have said Of
the profitable experience of those who have
practiced the four-field system with clover,
we should be tempted to guard against any
risk of ultimate failure by change in one
point. We should make the four fields
tive and sowing timothy seed with the clio
yer, take a crop of timothy hay, when we
| @sl-
Inediately after the timothy. The year de-
voted to clover might, i'll this case, be q
year of pasturage, and thus allow a very
considerable addition to the stock. This
stock would, advantageously, consume the
large quantity OF straw and corn fodder,
otherwise entirely lost except for manure,
and TINS bring large extra item of profit.
1t to this stock the corn be fed as it should
be, the manure would be greatly increased
in value, and the fertility of the soil pro
portionately improved.
The only objections that can be made to
this change would be that the additional
year given to grass might allow the native
grasses to multiply to the prejudice of the
clover; and that so old sod might be I'M
suitable to the growth of wheat. These
would be very material objections should
they be realized in practice The whole
profit of the system is based upon the sue
cess of the clover, and that must be made
secure at any rate, and the wheat crop on
the clover falloW is the chief money crop,
and deserves to be especially regarded
AS to the effect upon the clover, we
think that well-set sod Of clover and tim
othy would, during two years, SO complete
ly hold possession Of the ground as to eX-
clude entirely all intruders, and that the
intermediate workings between these and
the next sowing would be sufficient to put
the ground in a good state of preparation.
| AS regards the wheat, assuming, as said
| above, that the clover and timothy will eX-
clude native grasses which might prove
hurttul to it; and being well assured that
| the sod of timothy which would prevail
when we break the ground for wheat, is
very congenial to that crop, we apprehend
nothing on this score. 1t is said, indeed,
| to make preparation for wheat, only IN
ferior to clover, and, in this case, the good
effects of the clover, growing of the previ-
Gus year are added to the good qualities of
the timothy sod.
Such sod, it has been asserted, is espe-
cially advantageous on lands liable to heav-
ing under the influence of frost Wheat is
said to be under no circumstances SO Sc
cure against nter-killing." No soil in
the world is so uncertain as that of the prai-
RE on account of winter-killing Yet the
early settler raises wheat on the original
tough sward with very uniform success SO
it is maintained that the sod of timothy, is,
in this respect, very favorable to wheat
under the influence of these opinions we
should be tempted to seek the advantages
offered by the extra grass crop, and make
at least fair trial of five fields instead oil
| four"