82 



OUTLINE OF CROP MANAGEMENT 



Fig. 106. 



Rake and cradle still used in 

 parts of Germany. 



The term "rotation of crops" is used to designate a system of recurring succession of plants cover- 

 ing a regular period of years, and maintained on alternating fields of the farm. Its purpose is primarily 



to increase the productiveness of the various crops by conserving 

 the fertility of the soil and eliminating weeds, pests and crop dis- 

 eases. All farmers practice rotation to some extent, but usually it 

 is imperfect and unplanned. In most parts of the northern states 

 it is common practice to have oats follow corn, and wheat follow 

 oats. Such indefinite practices are perhaps to be called modes or 

 systems of cropping rather than crop rotations. The real rotation 

 of crops is a more purposeful and orderly procedure ; in grass- 

 growing and cereal-growing countries it assumes alternations of 

 grain crops, grass crops, intertilled crops. It would be better if 

 all writers used the term rotation of crops to designate only well- 

 laid systems or courses. 



Definite rotation is usually a practice of old and well-settled 

 countries, where the virgin fertility of the soil has been somewhat 

 depleted and crop enemies are numerous. In most new countries, 

 the husbandry is at first haphazard and unscientific. The land is 

 exploited. Fertility is seemingly exhaustless and little attention 

 is given to conserving it. The land is robbed, and the robber 

 moves on. But when the 

 land must be used over 

 and over again, century by century, the farmer looks to the 

 future and lays out a plan that will cause his land to increase 

 in value. The rotation and diversification of crops are subjects 

 of increasing importance in North America. 



These remarks are well illustrated in the depletion of 

 lands once devoted to tobacco and cotton. Wheat production 

 constantly moves westward. George Washington wrote to 

 Arthur Young, in England, as follows, in 1787: "Before I 

 undertake to give the information you request, respecting the 

 arrangements of farms in this neighbourhood, &c., I must 

 observe that there is, perhaps, scarcely any part of America, 

 where farming has been less attended to than in this State [Virginia]. The cultivation of tobacco 

 has been almost the sole object with men of landed property, and consequently a regular course of crops 

 have never been in view. The general custom has been, first to raise a crop of Indian corn (maize) which, 

 according to the mode of cultivation, is a good preparation for wheat ; then a crop of wheat ; after 

 which the ground is respited (except from weeds, and every trash that can contribute to its foulness) for 

 about eighteen months ; and so on, alternately, without any dressing, till the land is exhausted ; when it 

 is turned out, without being sown with grass-seeds, or reeds, or any method taken to restore it ; and 

 another piece is ruined in the same manner. No more cattle is raised than can be supported by lowland 



meadows, swamps, &c. and the tops and 

 blades of Indian corn; as very few persons 

 have attended to sowing grasses, and con- 

 necting cattle with their crops. The Indian 

 corn is the chief support of the labourers 

 I and horses. Our lands, as I mentioned in my 

 first letter to you, were originally very good ; 

 but use, and abuse, have made them quite 

 otherwise. 



"The above is the mode of cultivation 

 which has been generally pursued here, but the 

 system of husbandry which has been found so 

 beneficial in England, and which must be greatly promoted by your valuable Annals, is now gaining 

 ground. There are several (among which I may class myself), who are endeavouring to get into your 

 regular and systematic course of cropping, as fast as the nature of the business will admit ; so that 



Fie. 107. 



The present-day grain cradle, used for 

 small areas and loogh lands. 



Fig. 108. "The improved hoise-rake," 1821. 



