The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-11-10

does not exceed five inches; and to show
the high opinion that the writer has of this
, mode OF improvement, irrespective of all
| other features of what may in fairness be
claimed as belonging to an enlightened
system of agriculture, he has much conf
dence in stating, that if the average depth
of ploughing could be made to equal ten
inches instead Of five on soils adapted to
this mode of improvement, throughout the
entire State, that it would be the means of
adding to the average crops on such lands
at least 25 per cent.
So convinced are the farmers of England,
Scotland, Belgium and other celebrated
agricultural countries in Europe, of the
importance of deep 'ploughing, that they
plough much Of their land two firrows
deep. Where the subsoil, by exposure to
the atmosphere becomes of friable ma.
lire, and is suitable for the growth of
grain, grasses and vegetables, it is brought
directly to the surface by process called
trench ploughing, which simply means,
that two common ploughs are made to
each other, the second one bringing the soil
from 10 to l2 inches below the surface,
and placing it directly in the place occu-
pied by the poor or wornout soil If the
subsol be of a cold stiff nature, or if it
contain any ingredients that would be like
ty to have Observation-Disclosures on vege-
tation, this deepening process is perform
ed by the use Of a plough, which is tho
roughly destitute of a mould board, which
is made to follow common plough, break
ing or pulverizing the subsoil to the depth
of 10 or IL inches without bringing any
considerable portion Of it to the surface.
This implements is called the subsoil plough,
and within few years has been extern
sively used in many portions of this coun-
try. To work it efficiently, four strong
horses should be employed, and it could
best be done in the autumn and winter
months, when the ground is soft, and may
with trhing difficulty be worked to al
most any reasonable required depth.
| Where the farmer has confidence that
his soil would be much improved by bring
ing portion of the subsoil to the surface,
the cheapest and probably on the whole
the most efficient plan that could be prac-
tised, would be to attach four horses to a
strong plough, and bring by this process
from three to four inches Of new soil to
the surface. which by the action of frost
and air, will be brought to fit state for
the growing crop the ensuing summer
One reason why the business of grow
ing wheat is precarious in many portions
of this State, is because vegetable remains
are in such abundance in the soil, and be-
sides. the atmosphere is so literally sup
piled with the gasses created from the de-
composition of vegetable substances, that
a vigorous growth Of plants is produced at
the period when they are maturing their
seed. The rapid flow ofsap, produced by
these influences, may cause the sap vessel
to burst which would produce premature
decay, and in most cases total loss of
crop. Deep ploughing. in connection
with draining the land, will in must cases
prevent the wheat plants being attacked by
rust. and besides will double the average
yield, thus making the business of wheat
growing certain and profitable.
In many portions of the State, loud and
lamentable complaints, are raised everv
now and then about the damage sustained
through the effects of drouth. These bit.
ter expressions of sorrow, at what NAV
with some propriety be termed dispensa-
tions Of Providence, might in majority
of cases be avoided, by the simple and
cheap process Of deepening the soil to
twice the extent that is usually done by the
plough. If the soil be pulverized Uniform.
ly to the depth of fifteen inches, the roots
Of the plants will find their way down to
the full depth that the land is ploughed,
and will thus furnish food for the plants
during the severcst drouth. Besides, the
showers of rain that usually occur during
the early growth of the crops, instead Of
furnishing water for the bitches and streams
will be absorbed by Is inches of finely
pulverized soil, which in the process of
time is again brought to the surface by the
attraction of the sun and by the roots of
plants, thus imparting strong and vigor-
Gus growth to plants during a period of
protracted drouth.
This subject is of such importance to
the practical farmer, and in fact TO the
whole community, that we find it difficult
to curtail clear expression Of our views
diiu eAP0llOhOo tioieou Witiiii tlc llllltS
of an article adapted for the columns of a
magazine. 1t is subject
on which series of valuable essays might
very proftably be written; as it would
doubtless place reliable facts, having o
bearing on the great question of deep cul-
ture, in such forcible light before the
public, that inquirng minds at least would
be induced to make experiments them
selves, thus practically illustrating on their
own farms the benefits to be derived from
this method of improvement
BALLOON BATTERIEs.-lt seems 10 be the
serious intention ofthe Government OF Aus
tria to try the effect of eriel warfare upon
the rebelious cities ofthe empire. Exper-