72 CHAPTER V 



After the choice of crops has been decided, the question 

 of field management arises. The simplest procedure, but by 

 no means always practicable, is to have as many fields of 

 the same size as there are years in the rotation. Thus, if 

 the rotation is maize the first year, sudan grass the second, 

 and kaffir beans the third year, no difficulty is found in rotat- 

 ing the crop on three equal-sized fields. Often, however two 

 or more smaller fields will have to be combined and looked 

 upon as one. Often several rotations will be practised on one 

 farm, in which case the large fields are used for the main rota- 

 tions while the smaller ones are used for minor rotations — a 

 situation found on many farms where a small area is irrigable 

 and a large area is employed in growing crops without irriga- 

 tion. Given such a case in the Transvaal, a rotation of maize, 

 teff and cowpeas might be found on the dry lands, and a 

 rotation of lucerne, potatoes and wheat on the irrigated lands. 



Again, so as to ensure the distribution of harvesting 

 operations throughout the season, the maturity of the crops 

 should not conflict. 



Lastly, where possible, catch crops should be introduced 

 in the rotation. 



Much of the above may appear obvious; much, to the 

 South African farmer, may seem theoretical and impracticable. 

 In justification, how'ever, it may be pointed out that the 

 obvious is too often overlooked, and to the second charge 

 one can only say that rotative farming is already commonly 

 practised by many of our more progressive and successful 

 farmers. Further, the experience of older countries, where 

 extensive farming has been compulsorily abandoned by the 

 force of economic considerations, has shown the necessity for 

 rotating crops. 



EEFERENCES: 



Field Management and Crop Rotation." — Parker. 



The Relation of Different Systems of Crop Rotation to Humus and 

 Associated Plant Food." — Bulletin No. 128. University of Minnesota. 

 Soil Fertility and Permanent Agriculture." — Hopkins. 



