FIRST COURSE FOR THREE YEARS.
First year.—Oats are sown about the end of February, or beginning of March. These are cut green toward the end of April, or beginning of May, and given to the cattle for food, which they eat with great pleasure. It is found that this crop, as it is not allowed to throw out the ears, does not exhaust the soil, or take anything from the subsequent crop.[12] Winter potatoes are now sown for a second crop; previous to which the land is dug and manured. When of a middling size the potato is planted whole, but if very large, the eye only is used.
Second year.—Wheat forms the first crop; and scarcely are the sheaves removed from the ground, when the farmer promptly turns up the earth, and sows spurry. Sometimes carrots are sown with the wheat.
Third year.—Rye; which is followed by Turnips.