Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-08-30

nbibs the whole Of the heavy showers that
frequently fall during summer; the conse-
quence OF which is, as before observed, that
when the open soil becomes saturated, water
mua accumulate on the surface, and flowing
off in torrents, bears away portion OF the
finest, and most valuable part OF the soil sue
eeeding ploughings brings to the surface
fresh supply of mould, which in turn follows
the last Thus ploughing and washing alter
nately, following each other; the original
soil is soon deposited in sunken places, beds
of creeks, rivers, &c.
This waste is in some measure compensa-
ted, and fertility continued, by the fresh
earth brought up from below; for the plough
continuing to pass about the same depth,
must of course descend into the unstirred
earth, in proportion as the open soil is carried
from the surface but of this the cultivator
appears ignorant; the proportion brought up
at each ploug hing, being small and soon ac-
quiring dark colour by being exposed. l
am fully convinced, that in many places the
surface is now at least the whole depth of
the ploughing lower than at first clearing :
OF this we need no other proof, than the half
buried posts in low places, the heads of rivers,
creeks and mill -ponds filled up, which are
every where to be seen in our billy cultivated
lands.
But, notwithstanding the before mentioned
supply of vegetable earth from below, the soil
employed in cultivation, must annually be-
come less fertile; because the coarse, the
heavy and adhesive PARTICLES of earth remain
on the spot from the beginning, and those OF
the same properties contained In the fresh
earth brought from below, also remaining,
while the finer aud more friendly parts, are
continually carried away at length the pro
portion of fine soil becomes too inconslderable
to answer the purpose of vegetation to any de-
gree Of profit. Tnus the land becomes sterile,
not so much from the vegetable nutriment be-
ing extracted from the soil by the growth OF
plants, as by the soil itself being removed ::
that this is a necessary consequence OF shat
1oio ploughing, on lands that are in any de-
gree billy, in this climate, trust, has been
satisfactorily proved.
Another material evil that results from the
practice of shalioqr ptoughing, and which
applies to all surfaces, level as well as hllly,
Is the injury the growing crops sustain for
want of more regular quantity of moisture
in the soil we know by experience, that Ell
thee extreme is fatal to most of our crops !;
that the practice is calculated to produce both,
Mt different periods, is evident for, during
long continuance of net, for the reasons be-
fore mentioned, the water must stdgmate in
abundance about the roots of the plants
and on the contrary, short continuance OF
drought, extracts nearly the whole of the
moisture contained in the thin covering of
loose earth, and it is not to be supposed, that
the tender roots of plants in quest of supply
can penetrate the compact earth 6etoac, wnlch
has been hardening ever since its formation.
Hitherto have principally alluded to sum-
rner crops but if we observe the effects OF
shaNo0o ptoaghing on winter crops, we shall
find the injury still greater. All that has
been said, will apply to them in their au-
tumnal growth; but it is in the spring, and
early part of summer, that it often proves
particularly injurious, and sometimes fatal to
them. Those who have been accustomed to
stopping leaks, abodt mills, &c know, that
earth thrown into water, made to incorporate
with it, and then subside, settles into more
solid mass, and becomes more impervious to
water, than in any other way it can be ap-
piled; no ramming is equal to it: the same
thing frequently takes place in degree, on
the surface of our fields The great rains
that often fall about the vernal equinox,
drench, and almost render fluid, our shaItoao
worked soils; the solution of finer parts, en-
tering the pores, as the water evaporates, the
whole settle into compact mass, and so re-
mains till harvest for, Notwithstanding it
may be frequently moistened, yet no other
disposition of parts, can be supposed TO take
place, until operated on by frost or the
plough.
/TO be rouf;nnedl