FALLOWING.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1485, 10 January 1882, Page 3

FALLOWING.

Fallowing is a very old practice, and in England was first adopted on clay and clay looms. At first the operations commenced in spring, but experience soon taught the farmers that it was better to break up the land iv the autumn. Against fallowing simply there were two objections. It was found necessary to use manure of some kind. The expense attending its application without an immediate return was one objection. Then the land being idle for one year, there was only one crop obtained in two seasons ; this was the second objection. These objections led to the adoption of fallow cropping. The farmers were taught that it is best to apply manure to a fallow crop rather than to a com crop. No crop can be recognised as a fallow crop which does not permit of cleaning the land, and which does not increase the fertility of the soil. Seeing that fallow plants are such strong feeders, it is very important that few, if any, should leave the farm. They should be consumed by stock on the premises. Otherwise the land will be impoverished. Hence the connection between mixed farming and fallow cropping ; gram and stock are connected, and the whole farm is made to appear as one vast machine. Considering the kinds of soil found in Otago (in which we include Southland), the humid condition of the atmosphere, the number of years corn has been grown in some districts, the diminishing quantity per acre in some localities, the opening dooi's for all kinds of farm produce, and the desirability of having a variety of marketable commodities, is not the system of fallow cropping one that demands attention? The best machine must have its wheels oiled occasionally and be thoroughly cleaned, or it will not work smoothly, and will the sooner wear out. Hence we say, oil the agricultural machine by fallow cropping.