The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-05-12
LITTLE THINGS.
Ghe Sarmrr,
Retation Of UrOp..


Farming, as it has in too many instan-
ces been conducted, impresses US with the
conviction that books aud agricultural pa
pers have not received a general invitation
to aid the pillow in any way, but that the
production Of crops has. been more a mat
tor Of chance and necessity than Of any
systematic course Of cultivation. The
owners of the land do not seem to care
how the crops are produced, If the imme-
date pecuniary results are Of satisfactory
character.
It 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 an
nual crops Of an average yield. The gen
cral 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 s'good heart or, in other words,
in productive condition. 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 a
systematic rotation of crops is 50 Import
ant. If this is not done, general failure
will inevitably take place sooner or later.
1t is this random, reckless lack of system
in our farming operations, where the soils
were originally not very fertile, that is
producing such disastrous results; the first
thing, therefore, to be taken into eonsid-
Grafton in order to effect the desired change
is, 70 adopt proper system Of rotation Of
crops. u :
In determining such course Of rota-
ton, the nature Of the soil and of the
crops to be produced from it, must be
considered in their relations to each other,
Il is now generally conceded that all
the cereal crops derive aeir food princi-
pally from the soil, and .hat each species
Of them requires certain kinds and proper
lions of food peculiar to themselves.
a proper rotation of crops is usually
termed six-shift course, and is arranged
in the following order green crops, grain,
clover, grain, beans or potatoes, grain
The rotation is arranged in this way SC
that only one half of the cultivated land
will be 10 grain at the same time. Sup,
pose, however, that wheat, oats and barley
follow each other in three successive
courses, is it not evident that the supply
Of phosphoric acid, potash, soda and other
elements Of which the supply in soils Of
an ordinary fertility is exceedingly limited
will, if such a course of cultivation be per
sisted in, soon render the land unproduc
tive? The course Of rotation mentioned
is snch that at least two top-dressings o.
barnyard manure could be given to the
land, the first being given to the greer
crops the first year, and the second during
the fifth year, to beans, potatoes or som'
similar crop. The system of rotation
given may not be applicable to all locali
ties, but will serve as a guide in deter
mining one for any special locality. Goo,
common sense and close observation vii
enable the thinking farmer to devise
course that win enable him to maintain
and increase the fertility of his land an,
put money in his purse.-Rwdl World.