Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-08-28

SUCH manner that held alter plOWlng
should be as level as before, the pillow simply |
reversing the surface of the slice. In this,
as in majority of conroverted points, our
experience and observation leads us to con-
clude that both sides are partly right, and both
partly wrong. We have found that, if on
lands strong and with tenacious or imper-
vious subsoil, which retained for some time
what water fell upon it, the furrow slice was
slightly Tapped, so as to leave a space below,
young plants suffered less from wet season,
or an undue accumulation of water, than
they would if the furrow slice was fully in
verted, and the surface made smooth and
even. On the contrary, we have been led
10 believe that on light soil, or one inclin-
ing to be dry or porous, it was better to in
vert the surface completely, and by rolling,
render the surface smooth, and its particles |
as compact as possible. A surface so treated,
will retain its moisture longer than if left in
state more loose and friable, and the con-
Quoting power will be increased by the
particles being brought more closely in con-
TACT Let the farmer, then, whose subsol is
impermeable to water, lap his burrows as
dipping as he pleases; the more space below,
the better for HIM; but on light porus soil,
lay the surface fiat, and make it as dense as
il we'll can be. The benefit, which compress
sing sandy soils confers, is we'll understood
in Norfolk, in England, where the treading
of the sheep in feeding the turneps in the
fed, is considered not the least beneficial
part of the culture required for the production
Of wheat.
Nearly the same remarks may be applied
to the other controverted point, viz: that
which relates to the depth of blowing must
be determined by the soil itself; by its con-
dition, in reference to supply of vegetable
matter in the soil, and the depth to which it
has been formerly plowed. Where the stra-
tum of fertile soil Is thin, and the subso, no
matter from what cause, incapable of pro-
noting vegetation, it is bad policy to bring
this infertile subsoi to the surface, as a stra-
tum in which seeds are to terminate. And
where the soil is permeable to the depth of
twelve or eighteen inches, or as low as the
pillow can penetrate, and is filled with ferti-
LIKING materials, deposited by the processes
of nature, or by manure applied to the sur
face in cultivation, then the pillow may run
deep without fear of injury TO the present
crop, and the certainty of benefit to the fl-
ture ones. We think the true method of
rendering any soil deep and fertile, is to pillow
no deeper, and bring up no more of the in
!, fertile earth at time to the surface, than
can be thoroughly corrected by manures, to
be incorporated with it, and thus made friable
and productive. At each successive blowing
if this course is followed, the soil will be gra-
dually deepened and rendered productive to
r any desired depth. By persung this course
, of manuring and blowing, Judge Powell rem
, dercd his soils fertile to the depth offourteen
inches, and where the roots of plants have
f this depth of good earth to range in and seek
5 their food, the farmer can hardly fail of Sc
= curing first rate crops. Every part ofa sol
r so prepared, is fit for the termination of SEEDS
to the lowest depth to which the pillow car
: reach; and the more thorough the blowing
is given, the greater will be the surface ex'
S posed to the benefits of aration, or the anne.
e liorating influences of the atmosphere. Ont
of the greatest differences between the ole
i and the new husbandry, depends on thi.
!. question of blowing. In the old mode, the
pillow was used year after year to the same
: depth, and the manure applied with reference
+; to the crop solely, while the improvement o
: the soil was wholly left out Of sight. AS
J, natural consequence, "there was no depth o
= soil," and when manure failed, the tertilit,
: of the land was gone, with scarcely posi-
: bility ofrenovation under such a process. Il
:, the new husbandry, the permanent improve
d ment of the soil, by gradual manuring AM
n deepening, is kept steadily in view; an
n hence the accumulation and use of manure
:, has received an additional Importance. TN
o garden is usually far the most fertile part O
!. the farm, and this is brought about by tn
" gradual incorporation of manures with tn
j. subsoil raised at each successive blowing
IS until the requisite depth and fertility is gained
@ On lands long plowed to uniform depth, a
IS they were under the old system, the pres
h sure of the pillow on the same surface, era
a dually formed an impenetrable strata, thu
i forming fatal obstruction to the roots O
70 plants, where it did not naturally exist. l
England, on soils inclining to clay, and whic
n have been under the pillow occasionally, o
g almost perpctually for centuries, this imper
It meable pan is common, and one of the mos
ID decided advantages found to result from tn
r. subsoil pillow, is the breaking up and demoli
s ton of this artificial obstruction to the sprea
J. and depth of the roots of plants. On the oil
l. cultivated fields Of New-England, the sam
g difficulty exists more OR less, and can be re
Y, moved, and the soil rendered fertile by tn
y same means so successful abroad.
e The too frequent plowIng of land is not
e be recommended in any case, and unless all
S. solutely required to destroy foul weeds,
in should receive no further moving than is re
r. quisite to fit it for crop. The great mis-
J. take of Tull, was, that blowing or pulver
Of cation would supersede the use ofmanurm!
,g But experience shows, what indeed philosC
e. ply inculcates, that beyond a certain poin
S, blowing is injurious; and that, though esser
ly tial benefits are derived to the soil from til
}; action of atmospheric agents, manurng
NJ some form, is Indispensable to successii
10 farming. 1t may be said that an applicatio
in of manure should take place every time Ian
er is plowed and cropped. On land that hi
he been brought to high state of fertility, Il
n decomposition of the rich sward will usua
mr. nrovo a SufIicien drcSSinU for n Sinule crOu