The farmer and mechanic., 1915-05-25
Systems of Rotation fer Sandy Soils

Systems of Rotation fer Sandy Soils
The adoption of a system of rota- |
ton ordinarily depends upon the fol-
lowing factors:
(a) The type of soil; OBJ The loca- |
uon regarding temperature and rain |
fall; (c) The market facilities: (d) |
The farmers preference as to kind |
of crop and acreage of cereal, grass
and cultivated crops to be grown; (e)
The fertility of the soil.
Writing on the above subject in a
most instructive article, authorities
connected with the University of Wis
consin, have the following to say:
Due to the wide distribution Of
sandy soils in this State and the. diff
ferent conditions and sentiment in
each locality, it is impossible to rec
Ommend a form of rotation for uni
versal adoption. hTe one important
| fact, however, that all sandy soils are
are low in fertility and especially in
nitrogen, generally holds. Off this
reason the acreage Of grasses, cereals,
| and cultivated crops should be chosen
with this in mind understanding
| thoroughly that the nitrogen supply
| will depend on the growing and hand
| ling of legumes. In laying out the
land the cultivated crops should be
| grown in strips about 20 rods wide
grain to prevent the sand from blow
ing.
! On very poor sandy soil q two year
rotation of soy beans or serradella al
ternating with either corn or potatoes
should be followed until the soil is in
such a condition that clover can be
grown successfully. In this system
della SHOULD be plpowed under to fur
niSh fertility for the succeeding crop,
thus losing the use of the land for
one year. Experiments carried on
show that the succeeding corn or po-
tato crop will be large enough to pay
for this loss, besides leaving the sol
more fertile.
If clover can be grown successfully
, either a three-year or a four-year ro
I tation MAY be followed. These rota
D tions are planned to permit the seed
ing of clover either with or withou
a nurse-crop, but the best and mos
Y uniform Stand Of clover can be Sc
p three-yeaf rotation, the field shoult
d be planted to clover the first year, ac
: cording to directions for the CROWN,
Il Good Legumes for Sandy Soils.
e Mammoth or Medium Red Clover.
h Soy eBans.
Serradella.
= LupineS.
81 As5s11a. AAe{eR:
d Of medium or mammoth clover. Tn
e second year the first crop of Glove
e can be harvested while the secon
e should be turned under to furnish nj
e trogen and hunnus for the succeedin
,e cultivated crop. If corn is grown tn
third year, Soy beans may be plante
# with the corn either for silage c
# green manuring purposes.
s. In a four-year system of rotation
> a grain Crop may be introduced b
Al planting the field to corn during tn
r, first year; rye may be seeded in bt
"a tween the corn rows at the time
l. the, last cultivation. This will be til
II main crop during the following SEE
~ son. After the rye is harvested, sc
- beans should be planted on the san
:, field and plowed under in the fall {
~ ~. a green manuring crop. The thi1
IA II, and fourth years the field would be
~ clover, being seeded without a nurs
IN crop. If pasture is needed the fie
Il ne may remain in clover another year.
IN In a five or six year rotation alfal
=. may be introduced by planting Gu
Ia tivated crop the first year; grain IL
le. second; alfalfa without nurse-cr(
ot remain as long as good yields can
secured
OF In all these systems, which are SUI
ia ject to change to suit local condition
-, tHe 1aIHlei Slou!O Hldhe II rune
Tx keep the ground covered during t
by winter. Consequently such crops
,r- rye and clover should be seeded
re much as possible. 1t will undoubte
'e- ly be necessary to use more than O.
il rotation on each farm in order to o
M tain the best results in arranging i
an dividual fields. Manure on CONNIE
let cial fertilizers when applied in a
ed rotation are utilized to best advanta
lp- when added to the legume crop.
no Always unpack nursery stock
ith soon as 1t is recei'eu' anu Iea
- whether it is in good condition or n