The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1847-06-16
A G RIG 'EE Is AL.
How Deep shOu d torn be Planted f!


planted was discussed some months ago be
fore the Farmers Club Of Hancock, Ga,
Mr.. r. S, Hardwick was. IN consequence,
led to institute a series Of experiments, by
which he has fully and satisfactorily tested
the relative advantages Q! deep and shallow
planting. He gives the result in the
Miiiedgevile Recorder, which will be found
below. With US the corn planting season is
now quite concluded, but Mr.. H's commu-
nlcation will be none the less Interesting to
planters His facts can be treasured up Tor
future use. He says:
About the first of March, selected spot
of ground in the centre of small field.
about 70 yards long by sufficient width
for five rows with their middles; which plat
of ground was turned over with q ne-horsc
turning plough abou, inches deep, follow
ed by subsoil plough running 4 inches
more IN the same turrow-giving a depth
of tilth OF inches. This operation com.
pleted, the surface was narrowed and roll
ed, which pulverlzed it perfectly, and left
perfectly smooth surface the rows were then
marked off l-2 feet apart, with an old
coulter blade, which passed through the
earth without making any flrrow-mcrely
a mark to sec to plant by. then made an
instrument which | called a diJbIe. This
was simply a stick Of sufficient size to make
hole in the ground to drop the corn in,
sharpened at one end, with hole bored
with three-fourth inch auger, Just two
inches from the end pencd-another 3,
another 4, and an ther 5. A pin four inches
long was then made to fit the hole, and was
put through it inches from the sharp end.
This stick was then stuck in the ground un-
til the pin came in contact with the surface.
screwed round until the dirt would remain
in its place and not fill the hole, or in fact
any fall It, 1t was then removed and the
corn deposited and the hole filled just even
with the surface. Thus one row was plant
ed. The pin was then removed to the 8
inch hole, and another row planted in like
manner-then TO the fourth, and to the fifth.
The rows however that were planted and
inches deep had some the dirt removed
from the surface after the corn was dcposi-
ted to enable the corn to germinate. Every
hill came up; but the rows that were plant
ed two and three inches deep, several days
before the others. There was no manure
used, and the cultivation was precisely the
same, and at the same time, and Just as the
balance of the field was, which was in corn,
and prepared and planted in the ordinary
way, without being subsoiled.
l have before remarked that the rows
planted two and three inches deep came up
first by several days. This difference was
perceptiby kept up to caring. The rows
were distinctively marked so that any eye
could perceive the difference. From the
time the corn got in bunch to the full roast
Z ing ear we had drought of three weeks,
which was long enough to test whether the
shallow. planted corn would fail before that
which was planted deep. During this
drought ! watched it daily, but could per.
celve no difference. 1t is worthy of remark,
howeyer, that all four ofthese rows stood the
drought better than the balance of the field
attributable have no doubt. to the denth
Z OF the tilth given by the subsoil pIouehipo
y y there was any difference, the corn On the
srows planted 2and 3 inches deep was better
than the other and every person showed d
tito. said the row planted inches was bet.
ster than either =
Is Whether this opinion is Correct or not
and am Of the opinion it isl consider the
question settled, that the secret of success is
mainly in deep ploughing rather than deep