The morning news., 1892-03-28
FALLOW CROPS
And Pastoral Farming.

And Pastoral Farming.
In olden times 1t was a custom to let the
fields have period of rest-every seven
years-when no crops were sown, but by
constant cultivation Of it all spontaneous
growth was kept down and the air freely ad-
mitted to work its changes in the soil, which
it effected by rendering soluble those neces-
sarv mineral elements which had been
drawn on steadily for six preceding years Of
culture.
In the course of time, however, it came
90 be understood that this practice was far
from being the most rational one for secur-
ing the benefits sought. 1t was found that
certain plants that were provided
with long roots tap roots-and
that furnished dense shade dur
ing the heat of summer when planted
upon soil that had long been cultivated was
by far the most effective plan for assisting
10 the recuperation of the soil. The crop 80
grown was either allowed to make its
growth and die upon the land, or was
plowed in when it had made its maximum
growth.
And so to-day we understand by the term
CAOP OAO PAohbO0 ApOh VIC AohA
purely for its benefit, it's recuperation. The
revolution inaugurated by the famous
Liebig in agricultural practice has had able
coadjutors and abettors in others who have
followed the subject in the lines laid by
their world renowned leader.
The Johnsons, lie Rive and Gilbert Aleva-
ter and a score of others that might be named
have shed light on the science OF agrlcult-
k..S IL 30 - III n T.
agricultural science that is likely to add to
its practical value.
Fallow crops are to be found almost ex-
clusively in the Use of those plants that con-
stitute the family OF the leguminous-tap
rooted pod-bearing plants that assimulate
nitrogen more freely than all other species
of plants.
Restore nitrogen and humu5 to the soil
and the chemical changes set in motion by
their presence in the soil tends to the un-
locking of these other valuable elements
known as mineral elementS-potash, phos-
phoric acid, magnesia, etc.
Our cropping is more intense than it was
twenty centuries ago, and six years Of con.
tinuous cultivation in hoed crops is far more
exhaustive of the elements of fertility than
it was then, and 80 it has come to be UNDER
stood that SO long an interval as six years
must not be allowed to lapse before doing
something for the land in the way Of re-
placing its exhausting elements. A wise
system is suggested of making gradual res
toration every two or three years at least of
that prime factor in the fertility of soil
humus
Science taught and practical experience
proves that, as a rule, soil we'll supplied
with humus cannot become barren or so ex-
hausted as not to be able to produce one or
other valuable crops.
The primary object of fallow crops now
adays is for the purpose of restoring humus
In restoring humus we restore nitrogen, the
most valuable and indispensable elements of
all.
It is well-known fact that potash and
phosphoric acid 10 an insoluble condition
exist in incalculable quantity in all soils
that have been forest covered, and the pres
ence of humus and nitrogen play the i'm
portant part of unlocking the elements
gradually.
The northern farmer in his comprehension
OF the value of clover and a sensible rota-
ton has done for himself what the southern
farmer has sadly failed to do-maintained
not increased the fertility of his soil.
Nature reseuts the greediness that the
southern farmer has exhibited in attempt
Ing to take a money crop" year after year
without regard to the year of fallow, refus-
Ing to restore that element Of greatest in.-
portance. The large majority have heed
lessly gone on violating the law of nature
until their soils have become SO impover-
Shed they must needs cry out for Sub
treasuriesn outside OF their soils. The once
rich soils of the south are exhausted
rrotitable crops can no longer be grown on
much of it, and all because of the exhaus-
uon OF humus and its power Of assimilating
nitrogen gone.
1t matters not what change may be made
u the hoed crops Of the south IL the neces-
uty for fallow crops is not appreciated by
The farmer there can be no assurance of suo-
cess
A rotation must be observed that brings
~ at regular intervals a leguminous plant
nat Is purely for the land itself. II he sows
@S-the most exhaustive of crops-he
must learu to SOW leguminous plant with
y mat will take possession of the land after
n sus oats are taken off; a leguminous crop
~ ust alternate with corn or be planted with
sue corn. A fair proportion of the farm
~ast ~s be in permanent grass and clover,
"Na the proportionate number of stock to
prohtably utilize it. This land win yearly
srow richer and may be devoted to hoed
ops VI in turn, and other land seeded down to
'ue grass and clover for recuperation.
/ a. among leRuminous plants that constitute
~ le pest fallow crops are all the clovers-
Iu ISlei among which are the bur. Sapling.
n!orld-the field '.pease," vetch, Lucern,
tooeIlotus. - the true beans. The Melilotus is
~, oe commended wherever IL Is given
upper soil. No one who has once grown
WI. I clover need be told how well il sue
nus nus ln our climate aud what a great im-
Fover 1t is.
a.. -. may be that much OF the soil OF the
~. lh will go into the hands Of aliens and
Aaugers during the next ten Years be-