142 CULTURE OF FARM CROPS. 



surprise that it is not more frequently grown on soils 

 adapted for it. We purpose, in the volume of this series 

 treating of Forage Crops, to present our readers with a few 

 Notes in connection with this crop. As to the value of 

 cabbage as a feeding crop little need be said here, albeit 

 some notice might be taken of the ignorance of some of our 

 practical men as to this. 



In the case of those who wish to 'be relieved,' as our 

 authority terms it, of the tares, beans, the cabbages, or the 

 rape, he recommends them to take as many potatoes as they 

 wish, or take two successive crops of oats, or if not a second 

 crop of them, one of barley. This will by some be deemed 

 most heterodox advice ; and yet a great deal can be said 

 in favour of the plan of taking two cereal crops ; and we 

 have known it, as indeed we now know it, to be practised 

 successfully. Nor need the faet be the less encouraging to 

 those who are desirous to break through the prejudice 

 (shall we call it?) existing upon the point, that the first of 

 our practical, as the first of our chemical, authorities are 

 in favour of the practice ; certainly they are of opinion 

 that it is not productive of the evils that some blame it 

 with. But although two cereal crops may be taken in suc- 

 cession, our authority recommends the practice with modi- 

 fications. The following is the rotation which he names 

 as being most likely to commend itself to every intelligent 

 proprietor and factor, as well as make it easy to the farmer : 

 ' Grass three years, save the part made potatoes, which 

 will only be two ; 3d, potatoes ; 4th, cereal crop ; 5th, 

 turnips ; 6th, crop sown down with grass. If two white 

 crops are wanted and, with good farming, no reasonable 

 proprietor, unless ignorant, would object we would say, 

 three years grass ; 4th year, potatoes of a part, while the 

 other part was oats ; 5th year, all the break, oats or barley ; 

 6th, turnips ; 7th, crop of barley sown down with grass 

 seeds. It will be noticed that there are only two crops 

 taken from the part broken up for grain at three years old 

 the other part made potatoes ; only one crop of oats 

 is taken from it.' Such are the suggestions made by Mr. 



