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Show ROTATION OF CROPS ON A FARM. ' By E. R. Towle. There should be some cstablishc-rotation cstablishc-rotation of crops on every farm where it can be done. In the West where the grains crops take precedence of hay, this rnay be a little difficult at first, yet even here devoting the land to corn and other grain crops, one year each and grass one ycfar, might make a change in the character of the crops that would' be beneficial to both the crops and soil. The difference in the formation or make-up of these crops would assist materially in the rotation. With such rotation there would be each year' a good supply of corn, the other grains and hay. And this hay should consist largely of clover, or the clovers; as it might be advisable to sow more than one kind, as we do here in the East. In this way there would be large amounts of corn 'and clover with good clover hay, making an excellent combination for the feeding of stock. In the more eastern part of the United States where not as much grain is raised and hay may be con-k con-k sid'ered the leading crop, a larger rotation is followed. The length depends de-pends largely upon the size of the farm and character of the soil. For instance, the writer in Vermont, practices a five year rotation. This consists of corn principally for the silo, the first year, the second year sow with oats and barley and seed to grass, then hay for three years. The common red and alsikc clover are used, a half-bushel to the acre, the whole being put in with a combined com-bined seeder and harrow. Hardly ever miss getting an excellent ex-cellent stand of grass and good1 crops of hay. Being in grass for only three years there is little chance of its running out or deteriorating in quality, as might be the case with a longer rotation. , I ' At the end of this time have turn- !, cd under tn sward that had produced two tons of hay to the acre that season. , Such a sod furnishes a large j amount of humus for the soil and " helps to kcqi it in an improving con- 4 djtion. ' 1 On some farms a four year rota tion might be better while on others oncjof six years would be preferable. Have followed this kind of rotation rota-tion for years 'and find) it to work (well, and think that others on trial would consider that this or a similar plan, an excellent one when applied to their farms, resulting in more sa- tisfactory crops as well as in inv- j proved condition of the soil. It is J worth trying at any rate. |