Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1811-09-27
AGRICULTURE.
From ths Winchester Gazetta
THE
GREAT ERROR
AMERICAN AGRICULTURE
EXPOSED, SC.
[coNriSuED.l

might have before observed, that one OK
| the objections that will probably be made. to
deep ptoughiag, is the greater strength IS
team that viii be requisite 70 perform II and
consequently an additional expense This
believe, on consideration will also be found
| to be without foundation True it is th1t the
| first ploughing requires more strength ofteain;
| but then it is equally as true, that il the
plough is good one for the purpose, almost
double the quantity will be performed in
given time. The four acres above mentioned. s
| was ploughed by four horses in less than two
| days the burrows averaged seventeen inches
| in width. And as ground ploughed in this
way will not acquire the same degree of heat&
for many years afterwards, althougllit should
remain untitled it will be found, that three
horses to plough will be sufficient for after
ploughings, even for a few grass-lay; and
that two such teams will perform az much in
a day as six horses in three plougM of the
common kind, and of the common descrip-
ton of ploughing. Here then is ploughman
| saved. In addition to this, it is to be remem.
bered, that for reasons before given, land cul-
tivated in this way, will be preserved in good
filth with much fewer ploughings than in tho
other mode.
Thus let the subject be considered on
whatever ground we choose to take it up, eli.
Their with respect to the preservation Of tho
soil, the quantity of produce or the quantum
Of labour bestowed, the advantage is greatly
on the side of the method proposed.
But, let me again repeat it, that those ad-
vantages depend in great measure on the man-
ner Of performing IL. 1t must never be for
!. gotten, that ploughing when the soil is very
dry, is Of no other consequence than I'd do
stroy weeds; but over wet, in stiff soils, the
mischief is incalculable; it is at least ire
parable for that season.
If any should be still disposed to condemn
the foregoing observations untried--to say,
that if those extraordinary advantages will
result from deep ploughing that are ascribed
+ to it, they certainly would have been long A.
go discovered, and the practice universally
adopted; that great proportion of the in
habitants of the United States being engage
ed in the business of ploughing nearly ono
half of their time, it is not reasonable 70 sup
pose those things could have escaped their OBJ
servaton.
As full answer to such, let me call their
attention to some of the absurd practices that
the best of our cultivators are but just emerg-
ing from; and that probably they themselves
remain in let them view thsir own practice
in these things, and then say, whether they
i feel that consciousness Of perfection, that will
Justify them in condemning proposed i'm
proyements without trial.
Let them reflect moment on the propen-
sity that almost every planter feels for clear
| ing piece of land every year, which rs very
commonly continued until there is little or no
| wood left. either for fuel or fences; and very
| often it happens that in the latter stages Of
| this erroneous conduct more than half their
cleared land is SO far exhausted, as not to be
worth cultivatiDg; more acres of which, than
they annually clear, it is amply within their
power to reclaim and tender as fertile as ever
| It was, and that with half the expense yet
strange to tell, every acre is neglected while
the clearing business is pursued with avidity,
until at length the fatal blow is struck, and
necessity compels them to part with their
murdered estates for a trifle, and seek refuge
] in the Western country. Witness, some Of
| the lower counties Of Maryland and great
| part of Virginia.
Let them reflect on the immense labour
that has been bestowed in tie Southern states,
in the business of raising great hills about In
dian corn. 1t is now acknowledged, with good
| reason, by many of the best planters, that il
| il altogether useless in promoting the growth
| of the corn; but say they, it is absolutely ne
cessary to raise small hill, to prevent tho
| corn from falling, by storms OF wind and rain.
| Let us try the wisdom OF this improved mode.
| EVERY one who has paid attention to the
growth of corn, must have observed, that be-
| fore. or about the time it arrives at the state
of danger, it is sure to send out circle Of
strong roots just at little above the sur
face, these are the supports of nature and
so well arerthey adapted to the purpose, that
we seldom see a stalk torn up by the roots,
except where earth is previously washed from
about them. If let alone, there is no other
danger TO be apprehended than from breaking