nOTATIONOFCKOPa. 63 



BO. For, while the cultivation of the cereals is attended with much 

 labor and some uncertainty, — the grass crop, when the ground is 

 properly prepared, is almost always sure, and the cost of securing it 

 is comparatively light. A very good test of its importance may be 

 observed in the general anxiety felt, when there is danger of failure 

 of even a part of this most important production. It is plain, then, 

 that in our rotation of crops, great care should be taken to fit the 

 ground to jiroduce grass abundantly, a point on which many of us 

 are too negligent. 



Next to grass, comes Indian corn. As a hoed crop, it undoubt- 

 edly stands at the head of the list, and should occupy a prominent 

 place in our system. Next follow potatoes, oats, rye, wheat, barley, 

 and broom-corn where the nature of the soil admits. Perhaps no 

 course would include all of these. Experience and observation must 

 decide which can be grown to the most advantage. Doubtless there 

 are other crops, especially of the root kind, which should engage a 

 due share of attention. I have only named some of the most impor- 

 tant. Of tobacco I have nothing to say ; for though it is thought to 

 be an excellent preparation for some other crops, and, in many in- 

 stances, vastly profitable, it is my firm belief that the blessings 

 attending its general cultivation, cannot outweigh or compare, even, 

 with its curses, considered either in a moral or economical point of 

 view. 



We come, then, to the method of procedure. How shall wo con- 

 duct our series to the best advantage ? Before answering this ques- 

 tion in detail, it may be well to name three general principles, which 

 should always be kept in view. First, our rotation must be, as much 

 as possible, suited to the character of the soil. Second, there must 

 be reference to the fitting the land for a good yield of grass. Third, 

 each crop must occupy that place in the course, which will be likely 

 to insure the greatest success in raising it. 



To the first of these, we cheerfully acknowledge that due regard is 

 generally paid. We rarely see farmers persist in their attempts to 

 raise crops, to which their lands are not naturally suited. The error 

 is, rather, in the other direction. Many times, they think it impos- 

 sible to do that, which a little more perseverance and skill would 

 enable them to achieve. I might cite, for example, the growing of 

 wheat ; which, in this region, not many years since, was thought to 

 be next to impossible ; but which is now becoming quite a common 

 crop. The principle embraces both sides of the question ; for, we 

 ought certainly to be as ready to adopt a profitable crop, which our 



