The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-05-08

les. or around trees lHde "N .
II is better, however to use II ~ 1870
nure. in which case II should De aPpI.u ~
with judgement. 1t may be aphlel u
asnaraGusb beds or quince.trees iioefalls
but r. other things sparlngly- ordin-
ar;lv the best disposition To make OF IL
i r. nour It on manure or compost
bean and allow it to be absorbed.
The common celery is a most vaiua-
he vegetable. and is particularly quiet
| inc To the human nerves. Unions pro-
duce much the same effect.
Rotation of Crops Essential to
keep UP Fertility Of Soils
The necessary steps toward an I'M
nroyed busbandry are: j. To cultivate
less land. ,. To make that which Is
cultivated rich iii plant food, SO that 1t
NAV produce large crops. ). Inc pfac11
tice of a rigid system OF rotation OF
reps. and mixed farming: I. The GU,
tivation of the grasses and less OF hoeo
crops and feeding upon the farm the
most of its products. ). E%nrichlng the
land by turning under green crops. All
observation and experience 60 to show
that those sections of the country are
most prosperous where a mixed system
Of farming prevails. The farmer who
finds in his own gamers that which Is
needed to supply his daily wants, Is far
removed from the veXatlOn and losses
attendant upon outside purchases.
which 50 severely tax his means. 1t Is
not unlrequently the case, when he pro
duces but "a single article Tor the mar
ket. that it commands a price which
but poorly c~ompensates him for his Ia
bor, while he has to pay eNorbltant
prices for that Which he Is compelled to
purchase. This is selling the hide Tor
a penny, and buying back the tail for a
shilling. which surely IS nc a profitable
transaction. Mixed agriculture neces-
sarily leads to a system OF rotation OF
crops which is the key to successful
farming. That there IS a vast rccuper-
atiye power in lands where a succession
of different crops is grown no n car
deny in thelight of universal experience.
Thousands of those who have hitherto
devoted themselves to a single produc-
tion-cotton, tobacco or graln-now ac-
knowledge this error.
Successive crops of the same charac-
ter exhaust lands OF the particular food
they require, with great rapidity. The
aid which nature SO freely renders,
where crops rotate, is withheld in such
a system Of cultivation, because the far
mcr is violating her laws. To fight
and it is not difficult to forecast the re-
suit. To work in harmony with her,
ensures a comparatively easy victor.
One of the most beautiful of her pro-
visions is, that while one crop exhausts
the soil of that element which enters
most largely into its composition, by the
operation of some mysterious law it pre-
pares that same soil for some other crop
of a different character. This is a very
curious and interesting process of ma
ture, which results immensely to our
advantage if we expect her aid. As an
illustration of this principle, we know
that clover does not successfully follow
Itself, although it leaves the ground in
the best possible condition for corn or
wheat. One crop, therefore, restores.
IN a measure, what another has taken.
raising continuously the same plant.
YOU interfere with this beautiful contri-
vance OF nature to rebuild her wasted
strength.
Nature, therefore. will do much of
our work for us if we only second her
efforts, and give full scope to her benif-
cent laws. 1t is, therefore, a question
tor the farmer to determine whether he
viii by a rotation OF crops, have soil
enclrcled by drafts on natures
treasury, or draw entirely upon his
his own. l do not mean to argue that
here IS nothing for the farmer 10 do to
make his and productive. Far from
t. But L do argue that he may make
a cO-wOrker with him in attain
ng a desirable end. Change is a prom
nent feature IN nature seconomv. Cut
the forest Of hard wood and tie
)ines succeed. Again. emove the pine
md the hard wood reappears. One
llnd OF grass succeeds another, and ma
uie supplies the seed. These changes
I'VE the soil rest. to the end that the
process OF fe-lnvgoratlon may 90 on.
Jay and night succeed each other. and
,acf performs Its function in promoting
-egetable life. Eternal sunshine womb
IN eternal blight, The talIing
brings with it the nitrogen from
he ar to gladden. vegetation. The
un appears. Its light and heat lib {
rate the acids and gases which enter +,
pom their work Of usefulness in prepa,-
lg a variety OF vegetable food. Win :
er and summer follow each other |
rost dlSlntegrates and renders the |
lrth porous. opening the way for the /.
eat aud moisture Of SKINNER. SO thar |
laws may work out Their |
eautitui results. Thus increasingly. !
ear alter year, the silent agencies are !
preparing the earth for man
sc, that it may bring forth ~abundanfIy '