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Farmers Increase Yields by Growing Many Crop Types

April 1, 1995

Farmers can produce more crops and profit more by growing many crop varieties at one time. At first this might seem impractical or troublesome. But farmers say it is a good way to get higher, more stable yields. Why is this strategy effective? To understand this better, let’s take a tour of a small farm…

Cut tree branches carefully

April 1, 1995

Most farmers plant at least a few trees for fruit, fuelwood, or timber, for fodder or green manure, or just for shade and beauty. After the first three or four years, when these trees are established, they grow and produce even if they are neglected. But if you take a little extra care, the trees…

Intercropping with Paulownia Trees

January 1, 1995

Intercropping with Paulownia Trees By growing trees with crops you can increase crop yields and harvest lumber, firewood, and livestock feed at the same time. In different parts of the world farmers are experimenting with different combinations of crops and trees. This is called intercropping. What is intercropping? Intercropping is growing different crops together in…

Care of Trees After Transplanting

January 1, 1995

From the time of planting trees to the time of cutting trees can be a number of years. Because it’s such a long term effort, it might be worthwhile for you and your neighbours to talk about why you are planting the trees, where you are going to plant them and who is going to…

Transplanting Seedling Trees

January 1, 1995

If you want to grow your own seedlings in containers in your nursery, here is how to help your trees get a good start. First, prepare the place where you’ll be planting the trees. Uproot and clear away the grass and weeds to a distance of one pace (one metre) around the spot where you’re…

Where and When to Plant Trees

January 1, 1995

Where should you plant seedling trees? Begin by observing where the trees grow naturally. Plant the seedlings in a place that’s similar to where you got the seeds. Trees found sprouting by the roadside and in fields are best for planting in sunny, open areas. Trees growing in shade on the forest floor should only…

Starting Seedlings

January 1, 1995

Once you have decided what trees to plant and how to gather and prepare tree seeds for planting, you are ready to prepare the site. Choose a place with enough water to start the seeds off well. Be sure that the site is protected from the wind and from strong sun. You can start the…

Replace Every Tree you Lose

January 1, 1995

How often have you heard a farmer say something like this? “When we first lived here, we could just walk outside the door and pick up dry wood. Now, I have to walk for a whole day to find enough firewood to keep my family for a week. Soon I will have to walk 2…

Growing Bamboo

July 1, 1994

The valuable bamboo plant has many uses. It can be used to carry water, as building material, and to control erosion on riverbanks. But it is always in short supply. This is because bamboo is not usually cultivated by farmers. It just grows wild. Most types of bamboo grow shoots from underground stems called rhizomes….

How Trees Store Water and Protect Springs

July 1, 1994

Like good neighbours, trees and water help each other to prosper. Listen to the stories of your grandparents. They may say, “When we were children there were forests and trees all around, and there were cool springs of water that flowed from the hillsides or trickled into the rivers. We always said that spring water…