Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-04-04
ROTATION OF CROPS.
usv to occupy Ground Prontaoi'
Through Successive Years.

u.u to occupy Ground ProntaDn
Through Successive Years.
In a rotation commonly adopted In
Northern and Eastern States-and
which may serve as basis for other
rotations, and be modified with local.
itv and circumstance-corn Is planted
on inverted sod. enriched by spreading
barn manure upon it the previous
autumn and winter. The rains and
melting SHOWS dissolve the soluble
portions and carry them down into the
soil. thus effecting more perfect
diffusion or intermixture than could
be effected mechanically by spring ap-
plication, and giving decidedly larger
crops. A fine mellow bed OF soil is
easily prepared for planting TIM corn
by using the harrow on the inverted
sod. The latter half Of autumn will
be required for harvesting and husk'
ing the corn and for removing the
stalks. The corn is followed by spring
wheat, oats. peas or any spring grain
which may be sown early. After
removal OF the spring grain,
the land is thoroughly pre-
pared for winter wheat by cultivation
and pulverizing. and by addition OF
any manuring which may be advisable.
Timothy or other hardy grass is sown
with the wheat and clover early the
following spring. A fine growth OF
grass is thus provided, Immediately
following the harvesting OF the wheat.
If two or three years or more is desired
for meadow and pasture, the meadow
should occupy the first year, or until
the grass has become well established
and the soil hardened for the admis-
sion OF domestic animals in pasture.
The second or third year in grass will
give good sod for corn at the begin
ming OF the next course in the rotation.
There are several variations which
may be introduced as circumstances
require. Potatoes may occApy por-
ton OF the corn-field. or part Of the
land. instead of oats. the year after
ward. If dug early in autumn they
may be followed with winter rye, sown
as soon as the potatoes are dug, and If
the ground has been kept in good con-
dition and clear Of weeds the only cul-
tivation to precede the sowing of the
rye will be the use of the Acme or disc
harrow. The rye crop may have four
uses-early spring pasturage, cutting
for early soiling, ripening for grain,
or turning under for green manuring.
The rye may take the place OF winter
wheat, and is the best crop for seeding
with grass. being the last grain crop
in the season. If sown after potatoes
it fills vacancy by growing through
the rest Of autumn and on in spring
until cut for soiling or ripening grain,
as the owner may desire. In sowing
timothy with winter wheat it some
times happens that on very rich
ground, and followed the next spring
with much rainy weather, the timothy
will lake a rank growth and ripen
seed by the time the wheat is harvest
ed, and at the same time lessen the
crop Of wheat. This may be prevent
ed by sowing the timothy seed two or
three weeks later than the sowing Of
the winter grain. The Indiana friend
whose queries prompt this article will
perceive that by adopting the above
mentioned crops, in such course as he
may prefer, he will find no difficulty
in occupying the ground through sue
cessive years with such crops as he
has named, the only vacant periods
being the few weeks required between
them in making suitable prepare
ton for each succeeding one by thor
ough tillage Cor. n. Y. Tribune.