, 1878-05-31
Rotation of Crops.

min high degree Of success in cuItiva
ton. a proper system OF rotation OF crops
occupies IA prominent place. The adyan-
tagcs of rotation in farm crops are well
known; yet, in the garden, the practice
il vrry common to grow the same kind
of crops for Yeas on the slmc spot of
Ground. It's, perhaps, within the bounds
Of possibility to pursue this course sue
ce,stulIy, but 10 do so will require an An.
nuaI return to the soil, in some form, Of
fine several inyreiients extracted by the
plants. Our knowledge of the appiica-
tion Of science will not warrant much
Nith in this direction, even if chemists
were decided as to exact respective
amounts Of the ingredients used by Va.
rious crops. But allowing it to be prac-
tica'ly ottainable, and looking at it IN the
LIGHT Of mere economy, a change of crop
is every way desirable; since 10y proper
care two dissimilar crops may be pro.
duced on the same ground in the same
season; and, further, the operations nee
essary for the cultivation of one kind OF
crop are of nature to form n good prep
aratiDn for the succeeding one.
Those best informed upon the subject
do not altogether agree in their opinions
with reference to the principles upon
which the beneficial results attending
systematic change Of crops are based.
Some support what may be termed the
replction or cXcretory theory, which pro
cceds on the suppositiOn that the roots OF
all plants during their growth give out
certain substances peculiar tothemselves,
which in time impregnate the soil to
such an extent as to render it unit for the
growth Of that particular plant, but has
no deetelious effect upon the growth OF
different family Of plants, if indeed they
are not rather to be considered AS capable
Of promoting growth and acting as stimu-
lants to such.
1t is well ascertained fact that GER
tain if not all plants do impart to the
soil, through their roots, portion ot
their iuiCes. The soil around the root OF
the oak tree has been found impregnated
with tannin. The roots Of the spurge
laurel impart an acid, resinOus matter
The poppy cxudcs substance analogous
to opium. The root of any plant grow
ing in water will soon render it turbid,
but the quantity of such matters hitherto
detected has not been considered sutti-
Ciently important to account for the re,
markable beneficial results which have
followed rotative system Of cropping
The above theory has been supported
by very high authority, but it seems to be
giving way to the following, viz that al
though plants are made up of the same
primary elements, yet different species
require them in widely varying proper,
tions, so that each plant has character,
istic formation peculiar TO itself. II
therefore follows, that if there is II lack
in the supply of these peculiar ingredi'
cnts Of plant food, the plant will not be
maintained in healthy growth. From
this it appears that the reason why
crop, if constantly grown upon the same
spot of ground, shows a yearly loss ir
productiveness, does not arise from re
pletion of any substance, but rather from
exhaustion. In practical view, it Is eVl
dent, from either of the above theories
that change of crop is necessary to sue
cessful cultivation.
In cultivating garden vegetables, great
facilities are presented for frequent
change Of crop, and there is, also, wide
field for experiment in order to ascertain
the kinds best suited to succeed one an
other in regular system. For instance
it has been asserted that melons will pro
ducc best when grown on soil previously
occupied by tomatoes. In general, long
tuberous roofing plants, as parsnips
beets, carrots, etc, should be followed by
those that root near the surface; plants
that are cultivated for their seeds should
be followed by those grown for their toIi'
age. The seeds Of ali plants contain d
larger amount Of the mineral ingredients
than their leaves, so that plants grown
for their seeds will exhaust the inorganic
matter Of the soil to a greater degree thar
will be effected by plants grown only fol
the use of their leaves.
In the arrangement of crops in the
field or garden, there are two method,
that may be adopted, either of which will
provide for rotation. In the first place, Il
spot of ground is occupied wholly by
one crop, and when that is removed its
place is Immediately occupied by anoth
er; or two or more crops are so planted
on the same piece of ground that the one
will be ready for removal before it inter
feres with the growth of the other. The
first method may be illustrated by plant.
ing with early peas or potatoes, which
will be removed in time for planting in
cabbage or celery, or sowing bect', tur'
nps, or spinach. Early crops of carrot:
and beets will be removed in time for a
planting CT late dwarf beans. Many
notifications will be suggested in prac'
tice. 1t does not seem necessary to mul.
tiply examples, as those who are inclined
and will exercise due foresight, will sug
gest many expedients.
Much variety can be produced in even
small garden by this method, and it at,
fords great facilities for sheltering young
and tender crops by those Of more ma
tured or robust growth. 1t may, how,
ever, be remarked, that although most
plants are benefited by little shade and
shelter when young and delicate, 1t is high,
ly injurious when long continued.
In conclusion, it is advisable, and from
scientific standpoint actually necessary,
when the Jrpafnst curCpsS in the CultlVu-