Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1877-05-10
AGRICULTURAL.
ROTATION OF CROPS.

Farming, as it has in too many IN
stances been conducted, impresses US
with the conviction that books and
agricultural papers have not received
q general invitation to aid the pillow
in any way, but that the production
of crops has been more matter OF
chance and necessity than of any sys-
tematic course Of cultivation. The
owners Of the land do not seem to
care how the crops are produced, if
the immediate pecuniary results are
of satisfactory character.
1t is now pretty generally known
that certain principles underlie the
science of the cultivation Of the soil,
and that unless these are understood
and made the basis of our system of
cropping, manuring and cultivation,
We shall fail in producing annual
crops of an average yield. The gen
eral desire among farmers, however,
is to get as much grain from the soil,
with as little outlay, as possible, and
yet keep the land in good heart, or
in other words, in q productive con
dition. 1t is we'll known that the
different crops take from and exhaust
the soil of certain elements Of food
peculiar to themselves it is for this
reason mainly that the adoption Of
systemic rotation Of crops is so impor
tant. If this is not done, general
failure will inevitably take place soon
er or later. 1t is this random reck-
less lack of system in our farming
operations, where the soils were orig
inally not very fertile, that is prolu-
cling such disastrous results; the first
thing therefore, to be ia ken into con-
sideration in order to effect the de-
sired change is, to adopt a proper sys-
tenn Of rotation Of crops.
In determining such course Of 70,
tation, the nature Of the soil ,and Of
the crops to be produced from it
must be considered in their relations
to each other.
1t is now generally conceded that
all the cereal crops derive their feed
principally from the soil, and that
each species Of them requires certain
kinds and proportions of food pecu-
liar to themselves.
A proper rotation Of crops is usual
ly termed a six-shift course, and is
arranged in the following order:
green crops, grain, clover, grams,
beans or potatoes, grain. The rota-
ton is arranged in this way SO that
only one.haIf Of the cultivated land
will be in grain at the same time
Suppose, however, that wheat, oats
and barley follow each o,her III three
successive courses, is it not evident
that the supply.ofp phosphorus acid, pc
fash, soda and other elements of
which the supply in soils OF an ordi-
nary fertility is exceedingly limited,
will, if such course Of cultivation be
persisted in, soon render the land UNI
productive! The course Of rotation
mentioned is such that at least two
ton-dressings CT barn-yard manure
could be given to the land, the first
being given to the green crops the
first year. and the second during the
fifth year, to beans, potatoes or some
similar crop. The system Of rotation
given may not be applicable to all To-
calities, but will serve as guide in
determining one for any special To-
cality. Good common sense and close
observation will enable the thinkingI
farmer to devise course that vii en-
able him to maintain and increase the
fertility of his land and put money in
his purse. -Ruro1 World.
rTLo Nro,-o III ,oc+t, Dl,,nLn,,,, GOV,