ROTATION OF CROPS. 121 



CHAPTER IX. 



ROTATION OF CROPS. 



Numerous factors demonstrate the necessity 

 of growing different crops on the same land 

 during a period of years. Agricultural plants 

 differ in their root development and conse- 

 quently in their feeding capacity. The clover 

 plant is a vigorous feeder and sends its roots 

 over quite a range of territory, while the sugar 

 beet develops its roots to a much more limited 

 extent. 



Rotation rests the land.— We know that 

 rotating crops rests the land for some reasons 

 which cannot be entirely explained. Farmers 

 know that red clover can be grown satisfac- 

 torily only a year or two on the same field, 

 when the land becomes what is commonly 

 termed "clover sick." Says Sir J. B. Lawes:* 



"Land will also become sick of any other leguminous crop 

 if grown too often; but it is a most singular fact that where 

 one leguminous crop ceases to grow another will thrive. We 

 had a remarkable instance of this in one of our fields which 

 was bean sick, and as all our endeavors to grow this crop 

 were in vain we at last decided to give up the attempt, and 



* Country Gentleman, March 12, 1885. 



