| OCR Text |
Show WHAT "CROP ROTATION" DOES One of Simplest and Most Practical Ways by Which Income- of Farm May Be Increased. The rotation of crops Is one of the simplest and most practical ways by which the income of the farm may be increased without greatly adding to the cost of operation. The rotation of crops is the alternation alterna-tion of the three general classes of farm crops; namely, grain crops, grass crops and cultivated crops, so that a crop from each of the three classes will appear on each field at least once during each cycle of the rotation. Under "grain crops," such crops as wheat, barley, flax and millet may be classed, in their relation to the soil. Millet, though grown for hay, has practically the same effect on the soli as a grain crop. These crops deplete the soil of vegetable matter, allow weeds to grow, and have a tendency to deplete the productive power of the land. Under "grass crops'" may be included includ-ed timothy, bromus and the clovers. Though the clovers are not true grasses, they have heavy root systems, sys-tems, and add vegetable matter to the soil. The clovers also add nitrogen to the soil; but their chief value in a rotation seems to be due to the fact that their heavy root-systems nil the soil with vegetable matter, thus making mak-ing it more hospitable to plants. Under cultivated crops may ba placed corn, potatoes and root crops. Owing to their cultivation during growth, these crops have a cleaning effect on the soil. They are, however, exhaustive of soil fertility, because the constant cultivation encourages the liberation of large quantities of plant-food. plant-food. These crops leave the soil in' good condition for succeeding grain crops. |
