10 CEOPPING SYSTEMS FOR THE BLACK LANDS OF TEXAS. 



diately preceding, but there is always the possibiUty of its reap- 

 pearing at any time. How it spreads is not well known, but it is 

 thought that it is carried from infested fields by winds, water, and 

 farm implements. 



Though there is no known method of exterminating this disease, 

 its evil effects may be practically overcome by a proper rotation of 

 crops, deep fall plowing, and the incorporation of organic matter 

 into the soil, all of which are highly desirable practices for any 

 black-land farm.^ 



SUITABLE ROTATIONS. 



Few, if any, satisfactory rotations are practiced in the black lands 

 of Texas. The uncertainty of the rainfall is a factor which often 

 forces the farmer planning to practice a given rotation to quickly 

 change his plans — as, for instance, when the land is prepared for 

 aKaKa which, for lack of moisture, can not be sown. The farmer 

 can not afford to let the land he idle, so he substitutes some other 

 crop which can be planted later in the season. Another reason 

 why rotations are not more generally followed is the prevalence of 

 root-rot. 



The fact, however, that the farmer can not follow a rotation with 

 the regularity of clockwork does not necessarily imply that he should 

 not follow any rotation. On the contrary, he should plan a rotation 

 that will improve the fertility of his soil, reduce root-rot, and other- 

 wise satisfy his needs; but he should make it so flexible that it may 

 be modified from time to time, as the conditions warrant, without 

 detracting from the purposes which it is intended to accomplish. 



THE BURNS ROTATION. 



The most notable example that has come under the observation 

 of the writer, illustrating how the agriculture of this region has 

 developed without legumes, is found in the cropping system practiced 

 by Mr. James Bums, of San Saba, Tex. 



A definite rotation in which there is a total absence of legumes is 

 rather unusual, if not altogether unique, in the history of south- 

 western agriculture. It becomes still more exceptional if it has 

 been followed systematically for a long series of years; yet such a 

 rotation has been practiced on one of the black-land farms whose 

 history the writer has studied. 



Thirty-two years ago this farm was divided into three equal fields 

 (fig. 5) and the following 3-year mixed rotation was established, 

 which has been maintained with consistency to the present time: 



1 Shear, C. L., and MUes, G. F. Texas Root-Rot of Cotton: Field Experiments in 1907. Circular 9, 

 Bureau of Plant Industry, U. S. Dcpt. of Agriculture, 1908. 

 LCir. 84] 



