76 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



are, first to convert these elements into forage crops. "When this is 

 satisfactorily done, it will be time to consider theoretical objections 

 to what is proved by experience to be of great utility. 



Rotation op Crops. Nothing relative to agriculture is better 

 established, than the fact that a rotation of crops is necessary to 

 profitable farming ; and all the farmers of Maine practice, if not a 

 systematic rotation, yet a succession or alternation of some sort, that 

 is to say, none allot to their grass, grain, corn, roots, &c., certain 

 pai'cels of land, and then crop each perpetually for the same pro- 

 duct ; but they change in some direction, and to some extent. At 

 the same time it is evident, that in comparatively few instances is 

 there any thing like a Avell considered, systematic and judicious 

 rotation of crops practiced among us. but that convenience, or chance 

 often — indeed, may I rrot say usually — determines the course of culti- 

 vation, rather than any carefully digested plan, or steady aim, to 

 develop the powers of production possessed by the soil, in the best 

 and most economical manner. This is a hard saying, and to show 

 how fully I am justified in the assertion, some answers are annexed, 

 which were received in reply to the following question in the circular 

 sent out last spring — " To what extent is any method of husbandry 

 practised involving a systematic rotation of crops? " 



"I do not know of a farm where a systematic rotation is prac- 

 ticed." 



J. W. Ambrose, York Co. 



" Such a thing we have heard of, and cannot question its import- 

 ance ; but in practice it is wholly ignored ; every thing of the kind 

 is left to chance. Generally the reason why a piece of land is broken 

 up, is because it has become too poor to bear grass." 



Wm. Gregg, Cumberland Co. 



"No regular method or system of rotation is practiced." 



J. S. Powers, Oxford Co. 



" There has been none practiced." 



A. Sprague, Androscoggin Co. 



"None." 



J. Cargill, Lincoln Co. 



" Systematic rotation has not been practiced so as to enable me 

 to give any reliable information." 



G. H. Andrews, Kennebec Co. 



