American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-06-20

nection with manure. Where manure is
to be obtained in sufficient quantities,
corn, potatoes, etc, are undoubtedly the
most economical crops that can be en-
ployed to clean the soil of weeds. BY the
constant working early in the season and
the perfect shade given later the soil is
kept in the best possible condition at the
least expense for producing other crops
in the rotation; and at the same time,
while clearing the soil from weeds, the
farmer is getting ample pay for the labor
bestowed.
In the summer fallOw proper the land
must lose a season. 1t must either rest
entirely or else support only such crops
as Will assist, through decay, in the nutri-
ment of more valuable ones. To this end
the beginning should be made, if posi-
BILE, in autumn, by blowing the soil thor
oughly as soon rs possible after the pre-
tious crop is taken Off; thus letting the
soil lie exposed to the action of air, water
and frost. In the spring sow to some crop
that will terminate early in the season.
Peas, inferior wheat, rye, or even chess,
since the crop is not allowed to go to
seed; anything that will cover the earth
quickly. When this crop has arrived at
a height of two feet, or at least as soon as
the first bloom appears, turn it carefully
under not more than four to six inches,
and Immediately sow to corn, buckwheat,
Hungarian, or other crop that will quick
ly shade the soil. If the land is to be
sown to winter wheat the fallow crop
must be plowcd under in season for seed.
ing. At all events it must be turned in
not later than the time of blossoming; or
if corn, at such times as will enable it to
be properly covered. If the land is moi
to be used until spring, SOW winter rye
to be pastured in the fall and turned
under in the spring.
Thus you will have given the land
three or four plowings and will have had
worked into the soil two or three crops
and, besides this, the soil will have been
kept shaded except during the winter
season, which will have done good work
in breaking down and disintegrating the
soil.
We think that too little importance has
been given to this question of shading the
soil. We have always believed, and have
practiced upon the belief, that a naked
fallow will not realize more than hal
the benefit that would have been obtained
if the land had been kept shaded; for in
the comparatively cool place next the
| earth and about the foliage condensation
is constantly going on, and of course there
| is constant though slow deposition o.
| nitrogen in its various combinations a.
found in the air. We all know that I'm
der buildings or where the soil is GOV
cred, these elements of fertility are rap
| idly accumulated, and thence we MAJ
| learn a valuable lesson in the practica
application of science to agriculture.
| But while the soil is increasing in fer
tility by this means it is only one of tn
means used. The crops are constant,
drawing nourishment from the soil, ant
manufacturing it into other crop food il
| itc 10 of fo yhon
is also acting mechanically as a diviso
to the soil; is furnishing the much-neede'
humus which, again, is constantly taking
up and silently manufacturing from tn
elements the pabulum from which othe
crops are to feed. Repeated blowing
mix all together, render the soil friable
and the fertile surface is left just as
should be to give sure and constant re
wards to those whose sagacity prompt
them to take advantage of the mean
which nature has placed before them
Such progressive farmers reap abundan
harvests by the exercise of tact and judg
ment in their calling Western Rural.