Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1897-07-22
.sss5RS GSa@S s-=.tssxzz-
& aGAlR@sF FQgGD
v@AR5,gH
A THREE FIELD ROTATION
1T Increases the Annual Yields and Secures

1T Increases the Annual Yields and Secures
More Leisure Time.
Notwithstanding the difference Of
opinion that exists in regard 60 the best
system Of rotation where the staple
crops are wheat and corn, tbs fact re-
mains that the true test of any system
is its continued success. BY the adop-
tion of the three field system, and not
oYerstocking the farm, the annual bills
for commercial fertilizers can be re-
duced 70 the minimum, provided cnly
enough stock is kept to conslme and
I convert into manure the crops raised,
excepting the surplus of grain, pork,
beef and wool sold OF tho farm. Thus
writes q contributor to The American
Agriculturist, authority for the follow
ing: Such d rotation must include red
clover and intervals Vi rest nom Gne
constant productions Of wheat and corn.
Begin IL by dividing the tillahle land
into three fields of equal size and pro
portion, and stock the tillable acreage
about as follows: For each 100 acres Of
tilable land. 90 head OF cattle. 80 sheep,
4 work horses and 20 hogs viii ,be suffl-
cieut.
The proper rotation is begun by seed
ing field No l with wheat, to be fol
lowed in the spring with seeding Of
one bushel timothy and eight quarts
red clover to every eight acres. The clo-
yer should not be paatured the first year
of growth, except for sufficient Time
for the hogs to pick up the scattered
grain after harvest. The second year
field No / may be pastured from and
after June !, but a sufficient quantity
of that in which the most tinrofhy ap-
pears should be reserved for hay.
Where one has gt cd barn azlt sheds
extending back from each end, with
cave troughs to conduct away the water
that falls upon the roofs, level barn.
yard having raised sides 50 that no liQ-
uid manure can escape, and the straw
stacked in the center, large quantity
of manure can be made each year by
the 1st Of August from the straw and
refuse cornstalks. together With the
droppings and urine of the animals kept
in the basement of the barn and those
In and about the yard.
Now, instead Of breaking mp the clover
sward in August. when heat and drought
prevail and the cost of the preparation
of the land for wheat crop Is doubled.
adopt the following method: Begin in
August by applying ten fouR horse
loads Of manure to the acre ON the field
where most needed, making OF essah load
six or eight piles 10 feet apart 6aeh way.
Let this remain in piles until The fol
lowing spring, then spread 1t and plcw
the land to depth of eight inches, and
plant very early to corn. In the fsn'aut
the corn nearly knee high, and shock &c
in rows, which should be as far apart as
practicable. Harrow down tfe high
stubble with heavy, sharp toothed har
row, which, preceding the wheat drill,
puts the soil in the best possible oondi
ton for the quick and vigorous growth
of the wheat plants.
BY this srstasn-of seeding ths Curzrs
field with wheat, labor is not only Qom-
pletely economized, but the high cut
stalks, when narrowed down. act as a
mulch to the wheat plants and neasur
ably prevent washing on high points
and knobs. which would otherwise wash
badly during the winter if the field
were allowed to remain III the condition
that it ordinarily is. The following
spring sow again to clover and timothy.
By this plan one plowing serves for
three orope-one Of corn, one Of wheat
and one of clover and timothy.