Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-09-15
AGRICULTURAL.
DEEP PLOUGHING.

In our last number we gave some hints
upon this subject, or upon the first princ;-
pies OF good ploughing. Since giving that
piece to our readers, we have seen de-
monstrationG fact therein mentioned.
While passing through field of corn a
few miles from this city, our attention was
called to one portion OF the field more par
ticularly which seemed to be in much
more flourishing condition than the balance,
which, OF course, caused us to enquire in
to the cause. The soil and situation of
the land seemed TO be precisely the same,
and the only difference was that in tho app
pearance of the corn. On inquiry, we
were told by our friend, that the land was
all ploughed at or near the same time, and
that the corn in the forward piece was
planted one day earlier than in the other.
We inquired if it was all ploughed by tbs
same hand, the answer was that it was
not. He said the forward corn belonged
to him and that he ploughed the land him.
self; and that he followed the dictates of
his better Judgment, and the advice of ex-
perienced culuyators, found registered in
an agricultural paper. He informed ,us
that he ploughed his corn land very deep,
and was particular to avoid what is termed
"cutting and covering" or letting the
plough take more land than it could turn;
while his friend in the other part of the
field ploughed but very shallow, contend
ing with him, the while, that it was better
for the soil, that deep ploughing was of
no use, and that he would kill his horses
by working them so hard.
Our friend needed not what he said, but
continued on with his deep poughing.-
When the ground was prepared for the
seed, the corn for the whole field was ia
ken from the same lot, and that on the
deep ploughed, as we have stated, was
planted but one day first. When we pass
ed through the field on the 9th, the corn
on the deep ploughed land was more than
SIX days earlier, than that on the shallow
ploughed land, while the former had far
the best color. The two peices of corn
side by side, the rows ran the same way,
and the difference was so striking, that a
person would certainly have Thought that
there must have been difference in the
time of planting Of at least on week, be-
sides difference in the soil; it all had been
tended in one field by the same man the
previous year.
1t is well known that the small fibrous
roots of vegetation extend TO a great depth
in the earth, where the soil is loose and
deep, and where vegetables thus take root
they are much less affected by drought, and
likewise are found to stand the hot wealth
err better, and vegetation upon shallow
ploughed soils take root but a very small
distance in the earth. The soil being turn
ed up to the action of the sun and air, be-
comes enlivened, better fitted for producing
vegetation and greatly increased in depth.
1t is great error among cultiyators in
the west TO suppose that, because we have
such rich, deep, and strong soil, that we
need no caution or skill in its cultivation.
for the purpose Of preserving or increasing
IFS fertility. 1t is our opinion, and we think
that we are not alone this belief, that our
soil, with all its natural productiveness, can
be made to produce a much larger amount.
Of profit than it now does, by skillul cul-
tivator.
Should it not then, be the aim Of the ag-
rIculturists, to make such improvements in
their Science as will tell admirably to their
honor and profit. In passing through dif-
tercnt parts of the country, in this State,
we have seen this truth strikingly verified
and have been convinced of the fact by ac-
tua demonstration.
Western Prairie Farmer.