SECRET.\JIY'S REPORT. 213 



corn ; the yield of grass per acre, never having been less than two 

 tons." What has been done in one instance, can be done in others ; 

 and if one farmer who has wet rocky land, finds it profitable to ditch 

 or drain, why cannot another who has soil of a similar character 

 also make the operation pay ? 



A judicious system of rotation of crops is much needed ; and this 

 rotation must be particularly adapted for each separate district, 

 special reference being given to the market, nature of the soil, &c. 

 As these differ widely in various sections of the county, it is not to 

 be supposed that each farmer can pursue the same course. Every 

 plant grown, exhausts certain constituents of the soil, and by con- 

 tinued cropping, the most fertile land will in a very short time 

 become worn out and unproductive. There is no doubt but what 

 any one crop can be grown for almost any number of years in suc- 

 cession, if enough is applied to the soil to have it always in a proper 

 condition. But the question is, whether frequent change of crops 

 would not be advisable, rather than to expend a large amount in 

 growing the same kind of plants continually. In speaking of the 

 advantages of, and reasons for, a system of rotation, Prof. S. W. 

 Johnson says* : " When a light virgin soil comes under the hand 

 of the farmer, it yields good crops for a lew years, but then subsides 

 to a low state of productiveness. At first it may have yielded 

 wheat. When no longer able to support that crop, it may still give 

 fair crops of barley. The next year, if put to turnips or potatoes, 

 it may seem to recover its fertility somewhat, and produce a good 

 burden of roots ; but now it will not yield again a good crop of 

 wheat, though probably clover would flourish on it. The causes of 

 such facts lie partly in the soil, and partly in the plants themselves." 



The rules to be followed in pursuing a rotation of crops, are thus 

 stated in an article upon this subject in the Patent Office Agricul- 

 tural Report for 1850, p. 126 : 1. To exhaust the soil the least that 

 can be done. 2. Restore back to the soil as much manure as prac- 

 ticable. 3. Take that course which will best prepare the field for 

 a future crop. 4. Prevent, as far as possible, the growth of weeds 

 and the increase of insects. 5. Adapt the application of manui'e 

 to the respective requirements of the different crops which are to 

 follow. 6. Select the several crops so as to adapt them to soil, 

 climate, and market. 



From observation, I am inclined to believe that one of the two 



*In an article oa " Agricultural Chemistry," iu the New American Cyclopaedia. 



