CROP-ROTATIONS 



7. In addition to these influences upon soil 

 fertility, crop-rotation assists in control of insect 

 and fungous foes and of weeds; it permits such 

 distribution of labor on the farm that the largest 

 total production may be secured by its employ- 

 ment ; and it saves the farmer from sole depend- 

 ence upon a single crop. 



Selection of Crops. The natural inclination of 

 the farmer is a consideration that cannot be ignored. 

 If a man does not like certain kinds of animals or 

 crops, his farm or market must possess an unusual 

 advantage to counter-balance. Illustration of this 

 truth may be seen in every farming community. 



As a rule, the crops should be those that are 

 well adapted to the particular soils upon which 

 they are grown. It is up-hill work to compete 

 with producers whose soils have far better adapta- 

 tion, unless the local markets equalize conditions. 



The crops should follow each other in such suc- 

 cession that each crop naturally paves the way for 

 the next one in the succession, or at least does not 

 place its successor at a disadvantage. 



When it is feasible, a rather large proportion 

 of the entire produce of the rotation should be 

 feeding-stuff for livestock, as soil fertility is most 

 easily guarded by livestock farming. This is 



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