382 ROTATION OF CROPS. 



when ploughed in, or on the decay of its roots when these 

 alone are left in the soil) they are presented to the new crop 

 in a most acceptable form. The raising of other green crops 

 to be ploughed in for manure, is advantageous for the same 

 reasons. 



Two most valuable accessions to the rotation of crops will 

 be found in the root crops, and in green forage crops to be 

 either cured for winter use or fed to animals kept on the 

 " soiling " system. To these crops the richest animal ma- 

 nures may be profitably applied, and, while they will make 

 a most luxuriant growth, they will " draw the fire " of the 

 manure, and leave the land in the best condition for the 

 growth of grain crops. 



Copeland says :* " When it was discovered that roots of 

 all kinds were not only good food, but the best food for cattle, 

 those farmers who believed in the discovery cultivated roots, 

 and found, not only that their value as food was inestimable, 

 but that, with a given expenditure in manure and labor, 

 roots gave a larger return in value than any other crop. 

 This was the turning point, the rising tide- wave of improv- 

 ing agriculture. The new crop was an improvement in 

 every respect. It restored fertility better than the fallow, 

 gave an immense amount of fodder, and insured a corre- 

 sponding increase in manure, from the greater number of 

 cattle which could be fed from the farm. 



" Under the old system the same pursued in New Eng- 



* Country Life, page 435. 



