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Four-field rotation system

Definition

The four-field rotation system is a method of farming that involves dividing land into four sections or fields. Different crops are grown on each field every year in a rotating sequence, which helps maintain soil fertility over time.

Analogy

Imagine you're running a relay race with your friends - you don't want one person doing all the work because they'll get tired quickly. Instead, you rotate who runs each lap so everyone stays fresh. That's what farmers did with their land using this system - by rotating crops, they kept their soil "fresh" and fertile.

Related terms

Crop Rotation: Crop rotation is a basic principle underlying both medieval two-field and modern four-field systems. It involves growing different types of crops in the same area in sequenced seasons to improve soil fertility and crop yield.

Fallow: Fallow is a farming practice where land is left unplanted for a period of time so that it can recover its fertility. It was commonly used in the two-field system but less so in the four-field system.

Nitrogen-fixing crops: Nitrogen-fixing crops, such as peas, beans, and clover, were often included in the four-field rotation because they naturally add nitrogen to the soil, improving its fertility.