280 IMPROVEMENT OF THE SOIL. 



ry. Without it, the soil may be kept fertile by'the addition of 

 great quantities of manure and rest, but with it, time and 

 manure are economized, the soil rendered more and more 

 fertile, and the products increasingly more valuable. 



Rotation of Jields. Rotation of fields is next in impor- 

 tance to a rotation of crops. By this we mean, that tillage, 

 pasture and grass land, should alternate with each other. 

 This practice is in opposition to the very common one, of 

 devoting a certain portion of the farm perpetually to tillage ; 

 another to grass, and the remainder to pasture. Wherever 

 it is practicable, these should alternate, and the same reasons 

 may be urged as for a rotation of crops. Old pasture lands 

 often become exceedingly fertile by the droppings of the cattle 

 and may be cultivated with the best results, while tillage and 

 grass lands are often benefited by turning them into pasture. 

 In many parts of New England there are extensive swamps 

 which may be cultivated, and made the most valuable lands. 

 These lands are now either wholly waste, or used only as 

 grass lands. 



Sect. 5. Root Culture* 



Root culture is not only an important means of improv- 

 ing the soil in a rotation system, but the products are the 

 most valuable means of feeding and fattening cattle, and of 

 producing manure. " It trebles" says Judge Buel, " the 

 am.ount of cattle-food, and doubles the quantity of manure. 

 It moreover may be made to supply a large amount of hu- 

 man food." 



The principal roots suited to our climate, are the potato, 

 turnip, carrot, beet, and those usually cultivated in our gar- 

 dens. Of these the potato has come into general use. The 

 beet, carrot and the Swedish turnip are the most profita- 

 ble, both as to their influence upon the soil, and for the value 

 of their products. The English turnip is very valuable for 

 an after-crop, and tends to increase the fertility of the soil, 



