Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-06-13
BOARDTNG
FARM AND GARDEN.
ROTATION OF CROPS,

ges that result from ijndicious rotation Of
crops. Cultivated plants refuse TO grow to
q degree tina. is profitable to the producer
not alone fiom lack Of food 10 the soil, but
because it is 10 some peculiar condition
physically or chem cllly, unfriendly to one
crop, and friendly to another. By working
from year to year, titled ground changes in
its char. Ger and composition. Its vegetable
matter is cons med 10 greater or less ex-
tent. Sand irclines TO settle,
and cay rises 10 the surface.
The ground is more disposed to bake hard
and break up in large humps and cakes.
which are sometimes slow to crumble, nd
not easily crushed. Corn or potatoes plant
ed in earth so hard and impervious TO air
and moisture, cannot grow to do any good,
and change of crop with partial change
of tillage is the Apr pirate remedy. If the
land is run down, or naturally poor, and no
manure is available on the farm, trial
should be made Of clover and orchard grass,
with 100 pounds Of land plaster to the acre,
to rejuverate the Fl Id.
We have had excellent success in SOW
ing clover seed and orchard grass seed
among corn jus. After the lsst working of
the crop with fine harroE. The corn
shades the young clover and gras. plants,
till they strike q good root in the fresh
earth; and after the corn ripens, the fal
rains carry the clover and grass forward in
to q condition to stand the frosts of wiater
without harm. Ibis new crop should
have the ground at least two years, to fill
it with vigorous clover and grass roots, TO
rot and form a honey c1mb of tubes
througA the otherwise compact clay, for
the peIfcc: aeration Of the soil.
1t is plain that rich clov,r mould is formed
and permanently deposi ed as deep in the
ground as any clover roots descend, and
decay, while whatever turf and vegetation
there may be on the surface, adds so much
good manure drawn directly from the at
mosphere. r. r-...
1t som, times happens hat soil becomes
too compact for corn 10 do wei. without
being run down in fertility. In such . case
the rotation may be from corn to whes' +,
and then clover. An instance of this kind
has recently occurred in Onondsga county,
New York, and reported by the Hon.
George Geddes in thu Country Gentleman.
he says: a
"This land, with sll the advantages it
possessed. has at last failed to produce
reasonably good crops of corn or potatoes
The land became hard-brOke up into
heavy, massive Jumps too hard to break and
pulverize by any ordinary tools used on
farm. The corn would start well in the
early part of the season, and MAKE consid-
cradle growth, then take on a sickE ap-
pearance, and premsturely ripen, and pro-
duce but small crop of inferior grain, and
this was very nearly the history of the pO-
tato crop, till finally both had to be absn-
doned as no longer paying for the use of
the land and labor devoted TO it. The
managers of this land, instead Of consult
ing q chemist, resolved to try another crop,
and see whether the land would refuse to
mature It. Wheat was sown in the spring
of 1872, and crop of nearly thirty bushels
to the acre was harvested, Of quantity so
good that a considerable part of it was
sold at 81 per bushel for seed. With the
wheat was sown red clover, and some tim
othy, and now May, 1879 the clover is
most promising. How does science &C
count for the facts set forth in this state
ment, of che failure of this garden TO con-
tinue the production of paying crops OF
corn and potatoes, and for its production OF
such superior crop Of wheat?"
To our mind there is no mystery in the
facts. Wheat can grow and mature full
harvest on stiff clay which is Tot equally
adapted to corn or potatoes. To ask lohs
this is so is like asking why fish swim I'm.
der water, and birds fly in the air, when
God has made them for such purposes
Nature teaches the wisdom and duty of s
rotation of crops, based, of course, on the
careful study of soils in different fields
These may be alike on some farms, and
very unlike on others. 1t is saying a!
old perhaps as Abraham and Lot, that /:
change of pastures or range, makes ia
calves. In the same way, change of crop
and husbandry improves at once the sol
and. its vegetable offspring. The operation
consists simply in bringing new, and before
dormant forces into play. Farmers do no
study agricultural force suff'
GENTLY to understand it
The real power Of agriculture is in tn
farmers brain; yet this little mass of think
ing, willing, directing and driving matter
is less cultivated than any other spot o.
the whole plantation. There should be 70
tation from pleasant reading for instruction
TO pleasant work on the farm to secure tn
necessaries and comforts of life. Pure an
healthy nature deli hts in variety. Rotatol
of crops means q natural and profit
able SUCCESSION of plants On th
same feA, in place of running th
soil 10 death with one or two impol
tant staples. Let land rest in clover an
grass often, TO recuperate its fruitfulnes'
While this soil renovation IS in progress!
give the mind and body an equal chance
renew their strength and Fl ht successful
and honorsbly the great battle of life. Re
member that no force Of fertility, muscle c
thought ever comes ffom nothing. ActiYit
on the farm in common tillage and hu:
bandry is not necessarily wise activity. B
sure you are right first-then 60 ahead. Bu
what is right farming, where one is very fa
from the raw material that forms grain. col
ton, hay and tobacco? His land may be thir
and fertilizersnot be had at living price.
What theB?
BERMUDA GRASS.
Capt. Gee. w. Gift, of Memphis, Tenn
writes 10 the Southern CultiUGtOr:
81 Bag permission to shake hands wit
your correspondent who wrote in the Ma
number about Bermuda grass. Doubtle.
he will earn The sDeeTs Of most of the 'pra
teal men Of the country, yet, nevertheless
he is right. You lear that steady stresl
of immigrants pours into Texas from tho:
States east of the Mississippi river. Thes
people are in search ofgoOd pasture ches
meat is the traction. Plant the million
of acres of worthless laid on this side {