Litchfield enquirer., 1838-09-27

an opinion from the appearance f the gar.
dens and corn fields Of some of oar farming
friends, we should imagine that the appar-
ent reluctance TO stir the earth during not
weather, arose from the belief that turning
over the soil, and pulverizing the earth j.,
such weather, had a tendency Omly To- dry
the whole mass thoroughly, and render the
dryness complained az still more des,ruct-
i've. Such we imagine is not the fact aud
any one who has noticed how much nearer
the surface moisture will be found, at all
times, in well pulverixed and frequently
stirred earth, than in that which remains
compact and unmoved, will, wetllink agree
with US. The reason why fine and oft stir
red earth suffers less than that which il not
stirred, arises from its diminished powers
Of absorption. There is at all times, and
particularly in the hottest weather, great
quantity of moisture suspended in the at-
n'osphere, and the earths absorb this in
proportion to the nature Of their constitu-
ent parts, or their fneness Of subdivision.
Davy estimated this moisture at about LID
of the volume or bulk Of the air, aud l.2l
Of its weight. Ofcodrse, the Supply is al
all times ample for the wants of plants. IL
The earth is in a situation to receive Il for
their use. e,. +5.
A foot square, or cable foot Of earth IL,
compact mass, only presents q surface of
SIX square feet to the atmospheric influence.
Fulverize this mass, and it not only iDcreas-
es in bulk. as plaster or corn does when
ground, but an extent ofsuperfices is spread
to the air equal perhaps to millions Of
square feet, and every point Of this expos
ed surface absurbs more or less moisture
irOmthe atmosphere. lion the earth, and
around the roots Of plants, the effect is the
same aud thus while the minute iibres of
the roots seek in vain in hard, dense, un-
stirred soil for the moisture so essential to
their nutrition, in frequently stirred soil
they find it in abundance, as such earth is
constantly and rapidly absorbing it from
the air, and retaining it for the use Of
plants. ya4r 1eaar f. $3.50. a.adt
Tull, the great restorer Of Englisl. agri-
culture, maintained that pulveriza.ion was
the source Of fertility, and that land, by
means Of this process alone, might be kept
IN high stale Of fertility for an Indefinite
period Of time. lie was, unqaesliOnably,
in a great error here but his SUCCESS 10
farming, and his general system ofmansge-
ment attracted much notice, and gradually
led to the improved systems, which have
justly rendered the agriculture Of England
and Holland SO famous. To his reasoning
and example. we. in great measure, owe
the rotation system Of cropping, which,
while !, aims to keep the earth by plO,,gh-
ing and pulverizing in fit state for ain,os-
pheric influence, does not, as did Tdii pro
hibit or decry the use Of manures, without
which no land can long be kept in cultiva-
ton without evident deterioration. ,.1
m The growth Of cora, carrots, tnrneps,
n,angel wur,zel, or the sugar beet, is usual
ly in proportion to the depth Of the soil
and the illoroughnsss Of the tiilagc. &c the
earth is put in good condition at the recep-
tion Of the seeds, and made loose and lria-
bic 10 suficien, depth, there will be no
necessity Of disturbing any Of the horizon
tai roots. in giving those frequent STRINGS
of the surface with The horse hoe, or cult
vator, which add SO much to the vigor and
value Of the crop. TO stir the eartl, FREE
quently, and prevent the growth Of any
weed, is the great secret Of after culture in
any crop: and The care with which, their
bean, turnep, and even wheat fields, are
hoed and wed in England and Holland,
proves that in this simple process they find
much and certain prof,.-Gcn. Farmer.