Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-01-01
The land diminished in value,
A aige,epce Of ali so. The land n

A difference OF Sl7 so. The land not de
minished in value.
l. An important principle is-all plants d.
ring groto,h, exhaust The soil more or less. They
derive, while growing, part of their support
though the roots, and part from the atmos
phere through the leaves. Hence by remov-
Ing the plants, part Of the constituents Of
the soil is removed but il suffered to remain
by blowing under or by returning from the
barnyard in the shape Of manure, they serve
to enrich the land.
2. Another principle is hat plants at differ
ont periods of their gro,oth exhaust the soil une-
gualiy. As general rule, they impoverish
the soil but little during early growth or while
in a green state, but they make a heavy draft
upon it, while ripening their seeds. Hence,
pasture which is consumed while young and
green, Injuries the soil less than hay, espeoi-
ally il the latter is cut after the seeds ripe;
corn sown for fodder, exhausts but little, but
the exhaustion is greater when it furnishes
crop of ripened grain fax, though usually
severe crop, is far less so If removed while in
a green and growing state.
3. Different plants do not exhaust in the same
way nor 81 an equal degree Some plants take
more Of certain ingredients from the soil than
ent depths. The roots of some Of the grasses
for example, extend downward but few in
ches; while red clover oft reaches depth of
two or three feet. While. therefore. one OBJ
tains nourishment from near the surface, an =.
other finds its supply down in the subsoil.-
This consideration, however, is Of minor i'm.
portanoe inarrAnging rotation, as most plants
throw down roots as far as good cultivation
"a ~ H., a
more from the air and less from the soil than
those with narrow leaves hence, when burr.
cd as manure, they restore most largely to the
soil.
4. Some plants admit Of a heavier application
of manure than others. Such are generally
broad-leaved succulent plants, as beets, tur-
nips and corn and, indeed, most plants whose
value depends mainly on the quantity Of green
growth, as grasses for meadow and pasture.
But the smaller grain crops, as wheat, oats
and barley, may be so heavily MANFRED as to
promote too luxuriant a growth of leaf and
stalk, at the expense of the seed. Hence, in
a rotation, the manure should be given to
such as are most Immediately benefited by a
heavy application. The delay in time and
subsequent intermxture by tillage, gradually
fit it for the more delicate crops. The manure
snoul1 De always hpplleu as soon as possible
after breaking up from grass, that thorough
admixture may take p'ee before seeding
down. This intermixture is OF much more con-
sequence than most are aware Of for by leay-
ing fresh manure in Jumps, unpulgenzed and
unmixed, plants not only derive little compar-
alive benefit from it, but by aiding in drying
the soil in times Of drouth, it has actually
lessened, instead Of increased, the products Of
the land
Many other rues growing out Of the pre-
ceding principles, will suggest themselves to
the rejecting culnvator. From these prinoi-
pies, it will be perceived that Farming IS a
continued system of exhaustion and return.
where properly managed ; and not conrnu
system Of exhaustion only, as when badly
conducted or, rather, exhaustion without
any systam whatever. The best way Of mall
ing most efieetually this return, should in all
cases whatever, be considered the great lead
ing object in al! rotations, and the immediate
profit from sales, the second great Object
And, hence, in all good husbandry. the crop
which gives the greatest immediate return in