ROTATION OF CROPS. 2G3 



of failure of even a part of tliis most important production. It 

 is plain, then, that in our rotation of crops, great care should 

 be taken to fit the ground to produce grass abundantly, a point 

 on which many of us are too negligent. 



Next to grass, comes Indian corn. As a hoed crop, it un- 

 doubtedly stands at the head of the list, and should occupy a 

 prominent place in our system. Next follow potatoes, oats, rye, 

 wheat, barley, and broomcorn where the nature of the soil 

 admits. Perhaps no course would include all of these. Expe- 

 rience and observation must decide which can be grown to the 

 most advantage. Doubtless there are other crops, especially 

 of the root kind, which should engage a due share of attention. 

 I have only named some of the most important. Of tobacco I 

 have nothing to say ; for though it is thought to be an excel- 

 lent preparation for some other crops, and, in many instances, 

 vastly profitable, it is my firm belief that the blessings attend- 

 ing its general cultivation, cannot outweigh or compare, even, 

 with its curses, considered either in a moral or economical 

 point of view. 



"We come, then, to the method of procedure. How shall wc 

 conduct our series to the best advantage ? Before answering 

 this question in detail, it may be well to name three general 

 principles, which should always be kept in view. First, our 

 rotation must be, as much as possible, suited to the character 

 of the soil. Second, there must be reference to the fitting the 

 land for a good yield of grass. Third, each crop must occupy 

 that place in the course, which will be likely to insure the 

 greatest success in raising it. 



To the first of these, we cheerfully acknowledge that duo 

 regard is generally paid. We rarely see farmers persist in their 

 attempts to raise crops to which their lands are not naturally 

 suited. The error is, rather, in the other direction. Many 

 times, they think it impossible to do that, which a little more 

 perseverance and skill would enable them to achieve. I might 

 cite, for example, the growing of wheat ; which, in this region, 

 not many years since, was thought to be next to impossible ; 

 but which is now becoming quite a common crop. The princi- 

 ple embraces both sides of the question; for we ought certainly 

 to be as ready to adopt a profitable crop, which our ground 



