326 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
MAY 26 
his rescue, had been seized by the shoulder and 
shaken as a terrier would shake a rat. The 
shock produced a stupor and a dizziness in 
whioh, while conscious of all that was happening, 
there was neither sense of pain nor feeling of 
terror. Others, again, assort that Nature is ob¬ 
durately indifferent to the pains and pleasures 
of her children, and that tills little globe of ours 
whirls round every day and year, crushing bones 
as well as hearts with every revolution. 
Jfanti Sojjus. 
ROTATION OF CROPS-SOME BENEFITS OF. 
W. H WHITE. 
Farmers occupying a vigin soil.'fiud very little 
necessity for resorting to any particular mode 
of fertilizing it, in order to produce good crops ; 
neither do they pay any regard to the laws of 
rotation, although these are essential, as is found 
in after experience. For experience teaches 
that if any ono variety or family of crops or 
plants be constantly taken from the same soil, 
without making any adeqnate return, the land, 
sooner or later, fails to yield a return at all 
in proportion to the expense of production ; 
whereas when a variation, or rotation, of differ¬ 
ent crops on this same soil, is practiced, a more 
satisfactory return is had. In all of our older 
farming districts the original system of culture 
is necessarily greatly changed. My memory 
extends not near as far back as that of many 
others who may read this, yet it reverts to a 
time when much of our land was devoted to 
grain crops of some kind. It was then found 
that rnuoh of the soil would grow fair crops only 
once in two, three, or more years, without man¬ 
uring. Accordingly it became necessary that 
a rest of this duration should be given or at 
most, in our culture, the land was only plowed 
etc., the farmers adopting the fallow system, ex¬ 
posing the soil to the influence of air, rain, 
etc., so that the action of the elements might 
assist in pulverizing the soil, and in naturally 
decomposing the accumulated stores of fertil¬ 
izers in it, in this way rendering them available 
as plant-food. Why this failure to produce a 
crop regularly ? To answer this uuderstandingly 
we need investigate the constitution and require¬ 
ments of plants, their means of taking up pabu¬ 
lum, and the ofiices the Boil performs in rela¬ 
tion thereto. 
Plants are composed of different elements, 
some of which oome only from or through the 
soil. The functions of the Boil are to hold or 
“ fix” these elements, elaborate and yield them 
as food for plants. Some plants require a cer¬ 
tain quantity of ono element, others need an 
amount of some different element. These differ¬ 
ent elements are supposed to bo held in the soil, 
mostly as compounds, and before beooming 
available to the plant, it becomes necessary 
that they should be digested, elaborated, in the 
soil. Now, if the soil becomes deficient in any 
one element essential to the particular plant 
grown on it, it is very evident that it cannot sup¬ 
ply that element in sufficient quantity to the 
plant whioh demands it; neither can it if the 
plant-food in it. he abnndant but locked up in 
combination with other elements; so that 
that particular plant will fail to thrive on the 
land, not because the soil is “ worn out”, but 
merely because it is deficient in this element 
properly elaborated. If we take plants of a 
different class, demanding some other element 
which is in excess in the soil, wo find that snch 
plants will thrive aud produce abundantly. 
The reason, then, why one class of plants fails in 
a soil in which they have been, successively 
grown, is that such plants have drawn from the 
soil so much of the elaborated element needed 
by them as food that enough does not remain to 
support them in vigorous growth. Such ele¬ 
ments may be restored by adding to their 
amount by the application of manure aud fertili¬ 
zers, but the quautity must be in proportion to 
the exhaustion. In practice we find that the sup¬ 
ply may be economized by some system of varia¬ 
tion, whether it be some regular course' of dif¬ 
ferent cropping or some less elaborate method. 
Whether we apply animal manure, plow under 
green crops, apply mineral or other fertilizers, or 
depend upon the fertility of the soil alone, we 
also find that by change we realize much better 
returns for the labor, time, fertility etc., ex¬ 
pended. 
Some crops rapidly exhaust fertility by ap¬ 
propriating large quantities of the elements es¬ 
sential to their growth ; others either use less, 
or have the ability to collect their food more 
readily from a broader area. Some roots re¬ 
move from the soil in any ordinary crop a com¬ 
paratively small amount of certain elements 
which if abundant in an available form, would 
vastly promote their growth and increase their 
yield; while straw crops demand an available 
quantity of elements very different from those 
needed by grains crops. Tba growth of ono 
variety of crop in a measure prepares or fits the 
soil for some other; the rejections or excreted 
matters thrown off by the first crop enter 
the soil aud form new combinations, which 
in turn are decomposed, and their elements 
are frequently the most required for the nu¬ 
trition of the next. Almost all plants have 
their enemies growing year after year in the 
same soil. They increase most abundantly 
where a single crop is grown, for on coming to 
tho surface each season, they find their moBt 
desirable food at hand, and accordingly thrive 
aud multiply rapidly. Frequently the B&me 
crops, successively grown in the same soil, will 
contract disease from some cause often not 
readily ascertainable. This liability is diminish¬ 
ed, if not entirely got rid of, by a rotation. 
To realize In crops, the greatest possible bene¬ 
fit from the application of manure, they should 
succeed each other in the order of their dissimi¬ 
larity, and consist of as many classes or families 
of plants as possible, only repeating each class at 
the greatest convenient diBtanoe of time. A ro¬ 
tation something like the following: oil plants, 
roots, commercial plants grown for the plants 
themselves or their leaves, leguminous plants, 
grains and grasses, will illustrate my idea of dif¬ 
ferent classes of plants. It also suggests the var¬ 
iation although this is not given with any particu¬ 
lar order as regards tho succession. This can best 
be arranged to conform to differences in soils, 
localities, markets, <fcc. The longer the interval 
between two crops of the same kind,the better the 
soil is prepared to supply the necessary elements 
which enter into their structure, it having re¬ 
plenished them from the atmosphere, digestion 
and matter added otherwise, or having had sub¬ 
stances detrimental to the plant dissolved and 
washed away by the action of the elements. 
The English agriculturist, by dose observation, 
long experimenting etc., has slowly worked out 
a system of rotation which is peculiarly adapted 
to his circumstances of soil, climate aud neces¬ 
sities. Our country being bo extended, and em¬ 
bracing such a great variety of soil, climate, &c. 
no single set of cropB can bo adopted as univer¬ 
sally suitable for all plaoes and even if such a 
course existed, onr markets would not afford the 
requisite demand to absorb the large quantity of 
the few kinds of similar products and varieties 
that would be produced. 
As a result of the great size of the country 
and the variety of its climate, soil and demands, 
the American farmer finds his occupation made 
more profitable in that he is able to prodneo a 
greater variety of crops, thus finding a ready 
markot for all his productions. Another happy 
result, too, is that as a people we are less de¬ 
pendent upon the resources of other nations 
than if we had a less diversified soil and climate. 
There are several crops, however, of which, as a 
class, our American farmers grew too little, and 
whioh, as we advance in the art of agriculture, 
we shall find advantageous. I here refer more 
particularly to the leguminous plants, as peas, 
beans, clover, etc. These plants supply some of 
the richest aud best food for stock, and from 
feeding it a more enriching quality of manure is 
made. If we devoted a larger area to the growth 
of these orops, and adopted a system of rotation 
of such crops as arc particularly adapted to the 
soil, climate and market of each locality, our 
farms would improve; we should be able to 
keep more farm stock; and by feeding these 
crops to the stock on the farm, an immense 
amount of the very best quality of manure 
would be made, wbioh, judiciously applied, would 
bring still better orops, while at the same time 
our farms would be increasing in value. Taking 
this view of the question, would it not seem 
economic to add to onr possessions by improv¬ 
ing our system of culture instead of adding more 
acres to our farms P The thought should be 
ever uppermost with all cultivators of the Boil 
that thi value of their possessions does not con¬ 
sist in the number of acres they own, but in the 
production economically derived therefrom. 
Worcester Co., Mass. 
- ♦ ♦ «- 
NOTES FROM MAPLEWOOD FARM. 
HECTOR BERTRAM. 
FENCES AGAIN, 
The snbjoct of fencing is at the present re¬ 
ceiving a vast amount of attention from farmers 
generally. Considering the cost of material, 
building, and repairs, it is really one of the most 
important features of the farm account-book, 
and while I cannot accept the fact advanced by 
many, that fences on the farm are a nuisance, 
an unnecessary cause of expense, I am confident 
tho enormous outlay for fencing now made 
every year, may be greatly diminished by a more 
Judicious selection of material, a simpler style 
of building, and more caro in their disposition 
on the farm. We must have fences on tho farm. 
It is not sufficient that one or two fields are 
fenced for stock. Stock, especially sheep, re¬ 
quire frequent changes of pasturage. We can¬ 
not use one or two fields for stock range for an 
indefinite period with good results. The second 
or third year after seeding, the land affords the 
most pasturage. After this the quantity and 
quality deteriorate. Therefore it is impossible 
to simply fenoe a small portion for this purpose. 
If we do, we must change the fences repeatedly, 
making fully as much expense as would arise 
from fencing the whole farm. 
There is no improvement made which adds so 
much to the appearance of a farm as the fencing 
—good substantial fences kept in repair. A 
great amount of fencing is unwise. An indis¬ 
criminate mixture of stone, rail, stump and 
board is untidy. A farm well fenced in large 
fields with either stone or board and with a sub¬ 
stantial fence along the highway flanked by a 
row of shade trees, is the one I should select in 
preference to the one that has been thrown 
open to the street for the free access of any 
cattle that may by chance break into the high¬ 
way, or be driven past. 
For the benefit of those who think with me 
that fences are not a nuisance, bnt one of the 
chief requisites of the model farm. I present a 
plan of a cheap, durable, neat and handy fence. 
By reference to the cuts, it will be seen that any 
paunel of this feuoe can be taken out at any 
r time to afford passage for a load of grain or hay, 
without being obliged to drive tho whole length 
of the field to gain a gate or bar-way. Along 
roads where the snow drifts in winter, they arc 
easily taken down and piled out of the w T ay until 
spring. Fig. 1 represents the post with hooks 
3 
driven in ; Fig. 2 a pannel of fence ; and Fig. 3 
a section set up. 
As far as expense is concerned, the above 
fence can be bnilt for about the same as the 
common style of board fence, and is, I think 
much handier and neater. The pannels Bhould 
be about twelve foot long. It would perhaps be 
better to allow the first and third boards to pro¬ 
ject instead of the ones shown in tho out. 
I have been making a garden or trying 
to rather ; for there has been so mnch rain that 
the ground is like a mortar bed. Onions, peas, 
beans, potatoes, radishes aud corn are up. 
Onion seed sown without sprouting, came up in 
less than two weeks. Onion beds Bhould be 
covered with ashes. I have found these an ex¬ 
cellent dressing. In fact, I know of no vege¬ 
table that ashes are not good for. 
Some one asks for a preventive for, the de¬ 
predations of ants : A few stalks of tanzy, laid 
about the buttery shelves, will drive them away 
entirely. 
JxeU) Crop. 
THE POTATO PROSPECT. 
WM. J. FOWLER. 
It is a wonder to me, as it may well bo to any 
one, that shrewd, intelligent farmers are pre¬ 
paring to plant largely of potatoes, while with 
every furrow they turn there are hundreds of 
lively potato beetles, to say nothing of myriads 
more already above ground and patiently wait¬ 
ing for potatoes to appear so that they can be¬ 
gin operations. Yet this is just what iB daily 
done in this section. Borne farmers of my ac¬ 
quaintance propose to plant ten or twenty acres. 
One large farmer intends to put in thirty-five 
acres. “ Enough,” as he says, “ to give the 
beetles more than they can eat,” and thus Bave 
his crop. Of oourse, this expectation is falla¬ 
cious. The more potatoes planted and not 
strictly watched, the more beetles, and after the 
pests have destroyed the crop, they turn to neigh¬ 
boring fields to repeat their ravages. Last year 
the farmer above spoken of, grew several acres, 
which he never dug, and if he plants thirty-five 
acres this season, it means trouble for hia 
neighbors as well as for himself. 
My belief is that hundreds, and probably 
thousands of acres of potatoes will this year be 
abandoned and plowed up as fallow for wheat. 
In no previous season in Western New York have 
the potato beetles been so numerous thus early 
in the season. They were abundant last fall 
and few apparently have died. TLub fact is pre¬ 
venting judicious farmers from planting ns 
largely as usual. On the whole, fewer potatoes 
will be planted in this section than in four or 
fivo years. A small planting, well oared for, will 
pretty surely pay. It is bettor to plant only on 
rich, moist soil so as to insure a large yield; and 
be careful to have enough help at the right 
time. No matter wbat mode of destruction is 
used, the enemy must be disposed of promptly 
or the crop is lost. 
Aud yet there are localities where considerable 
planting of potatoes may be advisable. The 
potato beetle runs in neighborhoods, enough 
anywhere, but some farms are more infested 
than others. I propose to plant several acres, 
for the reason that I am in a neighborhood where 
few potatoes were grown last season. Potato 
beetles do not travel far. In the spring they fly 
till they find a potato plant, and in most sections 
they don’t need to go far. My potatoes will be 
planted rather late, about the last days of May, 
so that the beetles that have wintered over will 
mostly have found homes. I expect a good 
many ; hut here the idea is true that on a 
largo field they are at first less destructive than 
in a small patch. I think the beetles have Borne 
way of finding out where young potatoes are 
growing ; but if so they are as likely to be at¬ 
tracted to a small field as to a large one. [Plant 
a single potato where yon will—in the remotest, 
most hidden part of the field or garden—the 
beetles will find it without any trouble. In our 
own grounds they prefer tho Matrimony Vines 
to those of the potato. PerbapB it would be well 
to plant a quantum suffieit of this rampageous 
vine (plant) around the potato patch.— Eds ] The 
difference is that in a large field they seem less 
numerous, and are not destroyed so soon. Spend 
Uie same number of days’ work per acre on a 
large field and it will bo freest from tbe beetles 
and larva*. 
We are gradually learning bow to deal with 
this enemy, and “ knowledge is power !” To 
those who know how, the cost of fighting the 
potato beetle need not exceed §5 per acre. If 
the land is rich enough to yield 200 bushels per 
aero, the extra exist of potatoes because of the 
beetle will be only two and a-lialf cents per 
bushel. If yon plant early varieties which yield 
lighter crops, the expense per acre will be Bomc- 
what less, bnt there will be an increased cost per 
bushel. 
Monroe Co., N. Y. 
EXHIBITING VEGETABLES AT FAIRS. 
PROFESSOR W. J. BEAL. 
It is now none too soon to begin to prepare 
to make a good display at the various annual 
exhibitions which are to occur in autumn. 
In the first place: tho person ambitious for 
fame or prizes will strive to raise excellent 
samples of the vegetables which he intends to 
exhibit. He will take all precautions to have 
the soil well prepared and to select the proper 
soil for each vegetable, and then give extra care 
in cultivation, and thinning, and the supply of 
water. In some cases liquid manure will be 
employed once in a week or two. Enough of 
each sort will be raised from which to make 
good selections. As a general rule for vege¬ 
tables, great size is not of most importance; 
samples will always look best if they are of uni¬ 
form size, shape and color. It will often be 
best to reject one or two of the largest that tho 
rest may look alike. If shown at all, the larger 
uneven samples may be put in a separate place. 
To be worthy of a prize, they should be tender, 
of good flavor and quality. 
In sending to the fair, great care should be 
taken in preparing the samples to have them 
fresh, sound and clean. Some kinds are best 
placed on wet sphagnum or grown in noat uni¬ 
form pots or boxes in which they may be shown 
in good condition. 
With regard to the quality of roots for feeding 
stock, Mr. Joseph Harris makes the following 
comment iH his address at the Centennial Ex¬ 
hibition. “The English seod-growers bave for 
years bred turnips aud mangels for mze and 
shape, until they can grow 84 tons per acre, 
nearly 80 tons of which is water. Now in this 
country we do not wish to pull up, top, draw 
home, pit aud slice up 80 tons of water to get 4 
tons of food. We can pump water far more 
cheaply with a wind-mill. Turnips and mangels 
will never be generally grown in thiH country till 
wo begin to breed for quality rather than for 
size. When wo can get mangels that contain 
but little more water than fresh grass or fresh 
clover, we shall then be able to gather, store 
away, cut and food out the crop at one-third the 
expense, and the roots would keep better. As 
long as we are caught by size and sound, we 
shall find little profit in root culture.” In his 
opinion, oveu for feeding stock, the matter of 
quality is worth careful attention 
At our fairs, it is very important to have a 
good light on the samples exhibited. A sky¬ 
light is the best; a light coming in over aud 
back or beyond the collection, is tho worst. 
No one enjoys facing a glaring light while view¬ 
ing a collection. Rather low flat tables present 
tho best surface upon which to exhibit. The 
good effect produced by vegetables may be much 
increased by arrauglng each variety in parallel 
rows, in squares, circles, ovals, or stars or in al¬ 
most any compact, symmetrical figures. Much 
taste may be displayed in arranging these 
groups to sho w the contrast of shape and colors 
in tho different vegetables or the surface on 
which they are placed. Enough of each sort, 
ana no more, should be used to carry out tho 
design. The collection of each person, town, or 
county in competition should be neatly, plainly 
and conspicuously labeled, by placing the 
name of the exhibitor over it. Each variety 
