Olivier De Serres
1539-1619
French agronomist, thought to be the first to practice systematic crop rotation.
Sometimes referred to as the father of French agriculture, Serres presented King Henry IV with plans for the expansion of sericulture. His advocacy was largely responsible for the widespread planting of mulberry trees in France at the time, and his agricultural manual, Théatre d'agriculture et mesnage de champs (1600), proved highly influential. In addition to crop rotation, Serres advocated new irrigation methods, water conservation, and the sowing of artificial grasses.
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