The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-08-21
ROTATION OF CROPS.
A Judicious Rotation the Work Of skill
full and Successful Farmer.

a I,dt~ious I.otatIon the Work Of . skill
full and Successful Farmer
Our most skillful and successful farm
err are those who pay particular atten-
ton to a judicious rotation OF crops
and allow their lands to rest when rest
i necessary. No matter how fertile
the soil may be. constant cropping witn
one or two kinds Of grain which feed
mon the same elements of plant food
viii soon result in permanent exhaus-
ton. Every system Of culture which
does not bring from an outside source
the materials that crops feed upon and
carry away must ultimately cause the
soil " suffer in fecundity. As nitrogen.
phosphoric acid and potash are tho
most important elements Of plant food.
n Il necessary that such crops be grown
| n succeS.ion rs do not require the same
substance in equal amount II = best
10 alternate with the narrow teaved
cereals. such a. wheat. oats and rye.
those having broad leaves. as clover.
corn and root crops. Perpendicular
roofing plants ought 10 succeed such as
riot horizontally Two plants favora-
he 70 the growth Of weeds ought not
~ sueceed each other. Grain and OIL
plants should only be grown at inter
vals unless the soil Is in excellent con-
dit;on. Plants which prove the most
exhaustive should invariably be alter.
mated with those Of an opposite charac-
ter. Clover Is Of special value ia rota'
ton. as the shade produced ~ ~ rams
growth Of foliage favors the develop
ment and storage Of heterogeneous maue
near the surface. while the roots reaci
"a down into the subscil and bring NJ
valuable mineral elements.
Another advantage gained by rota
] ton i that il affords the Land an oppor
sunitv 10 rest The length Of this res
shouid be determined BY the supply
!. WORKABLE matter in the soil. The les
she ouantity the longer and more frt
. auent should be tn periods OF rest an
r.cuperation. On most lands . syster
INVOLVING rest every fourth year : ad
: visahle. The leading object In any sys
-, ~ rotation should be to realize IN
= h;chest profit from our land. and, at "a
s.me time. 10 preserve or increase y
Ssrf;l;tv. With q limited supply
manure as there Il on most farms.
y believe that rotation II Indispensable
= FOOD farming. When manures can
= bought in any desired quantity rot,
= tom u the same may he substituted.
= nan A. least. for one Of crops. as
l, \ generally practiced BY market garde'
~ ers-
= Farmers should adopt that rotate
y ~hich will leave the soil In the DC
- possiblc condition. bearing in mind 4
!. {sct that every bushel Of grain pr
=. duced or pound Of meat carried on =
=, farm reduces the productive capaoi
!. ties ~ the land Nv exactly the amou
n plant food they contain. The gre
nroblem of profitable farming consis
n making the soil increasingly ferti
he III Who builds up . bank account q I
mt cxpensc Of the fertility OF his soil =
ks u ~ considered wise husbandm
x - successful farmer. There Is no p
, it ser ale deposit for farm profits n
Vs. reinvcsting them in the farm itself. =
a only 4 Il 4 safe deposit. but any invc
. ment made in this direction l. ccrt'
SO ~ Weld 4 paving dividend annually
Orassge CSanty Farmer.