COTTON 



113 



nished new land and soil new to them. Just as an 

 animal likes variety in food and a change of pasture, 

 so the cotton plant wants occasionally, a new and 

 fresh feeding ground. 



A SUGGESTED SCHEME OF CROP ROTATION 



In arranging an order of crop rotation that shall 

 serve best your system of farming, it is well to bear 

 in mind that plants vary : 



1. As to taste in kinds and quantity of plant 

 food. 



2. In feeding habits. 



3. In the power to add humus to the soil, or 

 (because of culture) to use it up. 



4. In the ability of some, like cowpeas, alfalfa, 

 and the clovers, to add nitrogen to the soil. 



These are only general rules but should be em- 

 ployed whenever possible because their use will aid 

 materially in the rapid improvement of cotton lands. 

 An example of such a rotation is given herewith : 



*Planted in corn at last cultivation. 



If you examine this three-year-course rotation 

 you will find that it includes two nitrogen crops 

 (cowpeas and clover) for soil improvement and hay; 

 two cultivated crops (corn and cotton) for physical 



