74 ON THE ROTATION OF CROPS. 



ing to the greater part of our practical farmers. I shall here 

 state certain facts and principles, which may serve as guides 

 in this important branch of agriculture. 



The proper distribution of crops, and a plan for their suc- 

 cession, are one of the first subjects to which a farmer should 

 direct his attention. The kind of crops to be raised is deter- 

 mined, in a great measure, by the climate, soil and demand; 

 and the quantity of each by the value, demand, and the adjust- 

 ment of farm labour; the great art of the latter being the divi- 

 sion of it as equally as possible throughout the year. 



The system of rotation is adapted for every soil, though no 

 particular rotation can be given for any one soil which will 

 answer in all cases, as something depends on climate, and on 

 the kind of produce in greatest request. But wherever the 

 system of rotation is followed, and the several processes of 

 labour which belong to it properly executed, land will rarely 

 get into a foul and exhausted state. The particular crops which 

 enter into a system of rotation, must obviously be such as are 

 suited to the soil and climate, and other local circumstances; 

 such as the proximity of towns and villages, where there is a 

 greater demand for turnips, sugar beet, ruta-baga, mangle- 

 wurtzel, cabbage, potatoes, hay, &c., than in thinly peopled 

 districts. 



In general, beans and clover, with rye grass, are interposed 

 between grain crops, on clayey soils; and turnips, the whole 

 family of beets, potatoes, clover, and rye grass, on dry loams 

 or sands. A variety of other plants, such as peas, cabbage, 

 and carrots, occupy a part, though commonly but a small part, 

 of that division of a farm which is allotted to green crops. 

 This order of succession, is called the system of alternate hus- 

 bandry; and on rich soils, or such as have access to abundance 

 of putrescent manure, it is certainly the most productive of all 

 others, both in food for man and for the inferior animals. 



One half of a farm is, in this course, always under some of 

 the different species of cereal gramma, and the other half 

 under roots, cultivated herbage, or plain fallow. But the 

 greater part of arable land cannot be maintained in a fertile 

 state under this management; and sandy soils, even though 

 highly manured, soon become too incohesive under a course of 

 constant tillage. It therefore becomes necessary to leave that 

 division which carries cultivated herbage, to be pastured for 

 two years, or more, according to the degree of its consistency 

 and fertility; and all the fields of a farm are treated thus in 

 their turn, if they require it. This is called the system of 

 convertible husbandry, a regular change being constantly going 

 on from aration to pasturage, and vice versa. 



