Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-11-27
For the Boon's Lick Times.
AGRICULTURAL. -
OcciDENTAL EssAYfsT.
Ri (No.2) a
pLoUGHING AND rALLowING.


and perhaps all subjects Immediately or
collaterally relating to agricultural pur-
suits, as they will be enlarged upon through
out essays, a large part of their readers are
generally we'll informed and at home, and
that the remarks, in many instances, may
perhaps, be considered as common place
or supererogant, yet the matter will be
pursued, regardless of such probabilities,
upon the superstition that every person does
not know everything-,hat suggestions,
though stale to some may be new to 9th.
|ers--that nothing offered will be worthless
to all, but that something will suit the case
of some.
The breaking or turning the surface of
cultivated land, either by the plough, spade
or hoe, for the reception and growth of
seeds or plants, is a process 80 universally
practised and indispensable for the well
being of the crops intended TO be raised
thereon, it may be deemed incredible that
such common and simple affair should
not be universally understood; and yet it
cannot be denied that many and frequen,
mistakes are made regarding this matter.
Soils are various in quality and particu-
larly in texture and consistency, and
whether land should be ploughed up in
autumn and exposed for melioration 10 the
winters frost, or left undsturbed till spring,
depends upon various circumstances, and
especially on the natural texture and CON-
position of the soil. have long been so
we'll satisfied from personal observation
as we'll as by the common-sense view. Of
the case, of the very pernicious effects of
stirring land when wet, not only on the
succeeding crops, but on the land ITSELF
effects from which il sometimes does not
entirely recover for years, that / feel
strongly bound to reprobate one of the
grossest blunders a farmer can commit
that Of ploughing his land net. If the soil
be compact, baked hard by drou,h, in con.
sequence of having been labored or stirred
when two wet, no plant can possibly -four
ish therein, sandy and porous soils never
require exposure to the frosts of winter,
but may be ploughed round or planted at
any time. Their culture is easy and their
crops heavy. The less such soils are ex.
posed to the air and sun the less they are
exhausted and the longer they will last.
Their best qualities are as liable to be
washed away by the winter rains as diss-
pated by the summer sun, and they there
fore cannot be kept two close and level
if it is intended that they should be cropped
in the spring. In close, clammy soil,
however, every means must be taken 10
break up and alter the nature of the staple,
and to admit free access of air and mois-
ture. Such a soil is sometimes in a fit
condition TO be worked. and very often it is
not. Under such circumstances the under
standing of the cultivator must be exer.
csed. The condition of the land depends
very much on the season and the weather,
and, on this account, seed.time is not al.
ways that which is most convenient for the
farmer. In such case he must wait until
the land is in right order TO be stirred, and,
that is. when it is neither too wet nor too
dry. 1t had better be too dry than too
wet; because, if too dry, labor will i'm
prove il; if too wet it settles down so
compactly, like mortar, that no seed laid
therein can be developed in healthy con-
dilion, in consequence Of the want Of air,
which is absolutely necessary for the
sprouting, growth and maturity of all vege-
tation. A soil must be light, foamy, porous,
and susceptible of receiving all atmospheric
influences. If it is naturally so, fall plough.
ing is entirely unnecessary. If not, there
is nothing better calculated to impart to it
such qualities than frequent stirring, and
the farmer upon such place, should, at
every odd time he can catch, in fall or
winter, keep it turning over. In all the
practices employed for the amelioration of
land, every instrument used, whether plough,
hoe or harrow, should all have for their
ultimate object, either directly or indirectly,
the breaking up Of the compact and i'm.
pervious surface, so that constant supplies
of air and water may be freely admitted
to the roots of the plants.
For the purpose of cultivation knowl-
edge of the constituents of the SOIL gen.
orally, is necessary, that a rational foun.