The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-11-21
Rotation of Crops.

occupies II prominent place. The advan-
tages of rotation in farm crops are well
known; yet, in the garden, the practice
is very common to grow the same kind
of crops for years on the same spot of
ground. It's, perhaps, within the bounds
OF possibility to pursue this course sue
cessiully, but to do so will require an an
nual return to the SOIL in some form, of
the several ingredients extracted 10y the
plants. Our knowledge of tho applica-
ton of science will not warrant much
faith 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-
ticaly attainable, and looking at it in the
light OF mere economy, ii change of crop
is every way desirable; since by proper
care two dissimilar crops may be pro.
duced on the same ground in the same
season; and, further, the operations nee
cssary for the cultivation Of one kind of
crop are of a nature to form a good prep
aration 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
repletion or excretory theory, which pro
ceeds on the supposition that the roots of
all plants during their growth give out
certain substances peculiar to themselves,
which in time impregnate the soil to
such an extent as to render 1t UNIT tor the
growth of that particular plant, but has
no deleterous 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 Il well ascertained fact that GER
tain if not all plants do impart to the
soil, through their roots, portion of
their Juices. The soil around the root, of
the oak tree has been found impregnatcd
with tannin. The roots of the spurge
laurel impsrt an acid, resinous matter.
The poppy eXudcs 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 sufli-
GENTLY important to account for the re-
markable beneficial results which have
followed a rotativc 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 a character
istic formation peculiar 10 itself. 1t
therefore follows, that if there is lack
in the supply of these peculiar insredi-
ents OF plant food, the plant will not be
maintained in healthy growth. From
this it appears that the reason why a
crop, if constantly grown upon the same
spot of ground, shows yearly loss in
productiveness, does not arise from re-
pletion of any substance, but rather from
exhaustion. In practical view, it is evil
dent, from either OF the above theories,
that change of crop Is necessary to sue
oessful cultivation.
In cultivating garden vegetables, great
facilities are presented for a frequent
change of crop, and there Is, also, VIDE
field for experiment in order to ascertain
the kinds best suited io succeed one an
other in regular system. For instance,
it has been asserted that melons viii pro
duCa best when grown on soil previously
occupied by tomatoes. In general, long,
tub,rous roofing plants, as parsniP~,
beets. carrots, etc. should be followed 10y
those that root near the surface; plants
that are cultivated for their seeds should
be followed by those grown for their foil
age. The seeds of all plants contain a
larger amount OF the mineral ingredients
than their leaves, 81 that plants grown
for their seeds will exhaust the Inorganic
matter of the soil to a greater degree than
will be Effected 10y plants grown only for
the Use %. their leaves.
In the arrangement of crops in the
field or garden, there are two method.
that mag be adopted, either of which will
provide for rotation. In the first place, n
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 10y plant
ing with early peas or potatoes, which
will be removed in time for planting in
cabbage or celery, or sowing beets, tur-
nps, or spinach. Early crops of carrots
and beet, will be removed in time for n
planting CT late dwarf beans. Many
notifications will be suggested in prac-
tice. 1t does not seem necessary to null
tiply examples, as those who are inclined,
and will exercise due foresight, will sug
gest many expedients.
Much variety can be prodaced in even
a small garden by this method, and it af