Green manuring and soil organic matter : farm bulletin no. 10

Abstract

The following statement appears in 'Soil Conditions and Plant Growth,' by E. J. Russell. 'The effect of wild vegetation, sown grasses and clovers increasing the organic matter and nitrogen content of the soil, has long been known to soil cultivators. The old method of replenishing soil fertility was to alternate the periods of arable cultivation with a year's 'rest' when the land was left to cover itself with wild or self sown plants which were then ploughed under; this so-called fallow was prescribed one year in seven in the Mosaic law and one year in three in mediaeval England.'