OCR Text |
Show Hj WHAT "CROP TtOTATION" IS AND H The rotation of crops la ono, of the H simplest and most practical ways by H which tho Income of the farm may bo H Increased without greatly adding to H tho cost of operation. H The rotation of crops Is the nltcrna- H lion of tho three general classes of H farm crops; namely, grain crops. H! grass crops and cultivated crops, so H that a crop from each of tho thrco H lasses will appear on each field at H least onco during each cyclo of tho H Under "grain crops," such crops as Hl wheat, barley, flax and millet may be H classed. In thoir relation to the soil. H Millet, though grown for hay, has H practically the same effect' on iho soil H an a grain crop. These crops deplete H the soil of vcgetahlo matter, allow H weeds to grow, and have a tendency H to depleto tho productive power of the H Under "grass crops" may bo lnclud- H ed timothy, bromiis and the clovers. H Though tho clovers aro not truo Hl grasses, they havo heavy root sya- H terns, and add vcgctnblo matter to the H coll. The clovers aHo add nitrogen H to the soil; but their chief value In a H rotation seems to be duo to the fact H thnt their heavy root-systems fill tho H soil with vegetable matter, thusmak- H , ing It moro hospitable to plants. H Under cultivated crops may be H placed corn, potatoes and root crops. H Owing to their cultivation during H growth, these crops havo a cleaning H effect on tho soil They arc, however, H exhaustive of soli fertility, becavisc the H constant cultivation encourages tho H liberation of large quantities of plant- H food. These crops leave tho soil In H good condition for succeeding grain H The rotation of crops keeps the soil H supplied with vegetable matter from H tho roots of tho grass crops grown, H and from, tho manuro usually applied. H When this vegetable matter rots, or HJ decomposes, plant-food is liberated. H Vegctablo matter keeps the soil open H so that air can penetrate. It likewise H holds moisture, thus exerting desira- H bio chemical and physical influence H on the H Tho rotation of crops has a marked I H tondency to eradicate weeds. Grass H crops are cut early, beforo weeds can H mature seed. The cultivated crops, if H proporly handled, do not allow weeds H to need. In this way, a good system m of rotation gradually rids tho land of H all of the ordinary weeds. H Tho rotation of crops aids greatly i H In handling farm labor by distributing H labor throughout the season, and H making It possible to constantly cm- H ploy help, cither In growing tho crops Hl or in caring for the live stock. |