People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1897-07-09
A THREE FIELD ROTATION.
1t Increases the Annual Yields and Secures
More Leisure Time.


More Leisure Time.
Notwithstanding the difference of
opinion that exists in regard to the best
system of rotation where the staple
crops are wheat and corn, the fact re-
mains that the true test of any system
is it's continued success. By the adop-
ton of the three field system, and not
overstocking the farm, the annual bills
for commercial fertilizers can be re-
duced to the minimum, provided only
enough stock is kept to consume and
convert into manure the crops raised,
excepting the surplus of grain, pork,
beef and wool sold off the farm. Thus
writes a contributor to The American
Agriculturist, authority for the follow
ing: Such a rotation must include red
clover and intervals of rest from tssa
constant productions of wheat and corn.
Begin it by dividing the tillable land
portion, and stock the tillable acreage
about as follows: For each 100 acres of
tillable land, 20 head of cattle, 80 sheep,
4 work horses and % hogs will be suff-
Gent.
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 olo-
yer should not be pastured the first year
of it's growth, except for a sufficient time
for the hogs to pick up the scattered
grain after harvest. The second year
field No. 1 may be pastured from and
after June /, but sufficient quantity
of that in which the most timothy ap-
pears should be reserved for hay.
Where one has good barn and 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 SO 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 up 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 each load
six or eight piles IL feet apart each way.
Let this remain in piles until the fol-
lowing spring, then spread it and ploW,
the land to a depth of eight inches, and
plant very early to corn. In the fall cut
the corn nearly knee high, and shock it
in rows, which should be as far apart as
practicable. Harrow down the high
stubble with heavy, sharp toothed har-
row, which, preceding the wheat drill,
puts tileNs gull in the best possible condi-
ton for the quick and vigorous growth
Of the wheat plants.
By this system of seeding the corn
field with wheat, labor is not only COM
pletely economical, but the high cut
stalks, when narrowed down, act as
mulch to the wheat plants and measur-
ably prevent washing on high points
and knobs. which would otherwise wash
badly during the winter if the field
were allowed to remain in the condition
that it ordinarily is. The following
spring sow again to clover and timothy.
By this plan one blowing serves for
three crops-one of corn, one of wheat
and one of clover and timothy.