The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-05
Rotation Of Crops.


very frequent humus-producing crops are
specially needed in our Southern agrcul-
ture. Cotton cannot be excelled as a
cleansing crop, but instead OF making II an
occasional, we run ii almost as continu-
Gus crop. Peas and clover are our best
renovating crops, but they find no regu-
lar place in our rotations; they are second
AIRY crops slipped in after corn and small
grain. Grass is the best humus-producing
crop, but it has never found a footho old in
our system; small grain, which comes
nearest to II in this respect, being our
main dependence.
The truth is, it Is rather difficult to ar
range very satisfactory rotation on Il cot
ton farm on account OF the very long time
n cotton crop occupies the land. On the
other hand the large size OF Southern
farms renders it easy iian intensive instead
of a spread.ovcr-al system was practiced,
Suppose farm divided into four parts,
numbered |, 2, 3 and 1, and let each have
its rotation.
No. l-First year Cotton with rye har-
rowed or plowed in in September Ito lie
made into ensilage the following spring.,
followed by peas for ensiage), followed by
oats, followed by cotton again.
No. Cotton and rye sown in Septcm-
Der, to be turned under in spring, followed
by corn, peas broadcast at laying by, fol-
lowed by wheat; cotton again.
No. 3-Cotton; rye in September turned
under in spring., followed by millct, sOr-
ghum, drilled corn, etc, followed by oats,
or rye, cotton, etc.
No. 4-Cloycr and grass-permanCn
The size Of the four parts into which the
farm is divided need not be equal, each one
could arrange that to suit the peculiarities
OF his farm. In the first three fields, cot
ton occupies the land every third year,
and II Nos. |, and 3 were equal IN size It
| could be arranged 80 that cotton would oc-
| copy one-third OF the land every year by
| planting cotton in No. ! the first year, in
No. the second year and No. 3 the third
| year; or, inst yd Of planting cotton again
the third year the land might be allowed
| % ..sl and gather humus, and this would
be decidedly the better plan, especially on
/ Old and worn soils.
The plan skelched, gives cotton about
one-third OF the cultivated land, and that
is fully rs much rs il ought to have. Corn
/ is given rather subordinate place, one.
third Of the land every third year, because
| II is neither the best nor the cheapest food
for stock. Rye, las ensilage) peas, oats,
millet, sorghum, etc, should constitute
! the chief dependence for feeding stock,
being easily raised and ailOrdng health.
/ promoting variety Of food. II the weyil IL
/ bad, and II is not desirable to keep corn "a
long. some may be substituted in place oil
forage crops in No. g. But we are very
firmly convinced that, except In cases
where one has bottom or other land pecu-
liarly adapted to corn, It Is sound policy "a
/ give corn very subordinate place on the
farm. Rye has never been sufficiently
appreciated. Now that II can be mad,
into ensilage, il should occupy n very
! prominent place on the farm. First, iOl
outstanding and holding plant food in
winter and spring, by occupying the land
and second, for supplying forage in the
form OF ensilagc. No other winter croT
compares with II In certainty, and the silC
has solved the problem of utilizing IT, A.
rivals In these respects drilled corn and
peas take their place in summer. They
are drought resisting and heavy yielding,
and combined together make an cnsilagc
unsurpassed in quality for milk cows OF
other stock. A penny saved, Is q penny
made, Is true In farming rs it is elsewhere.
Strict economy aud sound economy should
be the notices Of the farmer Strict econ.
omy In his family expenditures, sound
economy IN the running Of his farm
econOmIzing horsepower by cheap food
and by raising his own stock; economic.
ing human laborby judicious use OF nipple.
mcnts and methods, and by Substituting
manure and horsepower for IT, farmer
cannot be- reminded too often that IL takci
n much labor (somctimcs morcl 90 cult,
waite poor acre rs il does rich acre %
land; that horse fed on high-pricct
Western corn cannot do any more work In
a day than one fed on home raised oats
peas, etc; that his land needs rest ant
food rs well rs his horse, and that success,
calls for use OF brain fully As much rs II
does for Drawn.