Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1854-05-18
AartruItnral.
THE OBJECT OF FLOWING.

The object of blowing is not fully UNDER
stood and considered by majority Of those
who perform the work if it were, it would
be done more faithfully and thoroughly. 1t
is not alone to kill the weeds and grass, nor
even to turn seed-bed or fresh-turned soil
for planting or sowing-nor any thing which
looks merely to the inversion of the sod
which constitute good blowing Large plows,
turning wide and shallow furrow, will show
large days work but the work is very i'm
perfectly accomplished, when the true object
tof blowing is considered. The chiefvalue OF
blowing is the preparation it gives the soil
for producing vegetation-for giving to the
plants sown or planted the elements of growth
and fruitfulness. 1t should thoroughly pull
verize and loosen the texture of the soil, and
admit a free circulation of air and moisture,
which, by chemical action, disintegrates or
breaks down the stony or mineral portions OF
the same, so that they may be more readily
dissolved and taken up by the roots.
In soil thus powed-thus prepared for
yielding its support to vegetable llfe-plants
can appropriate from far and near the nutrl-
ment needed for their growth. 1t is dissolved
and ready for their use-not hidden in I'M
broken clods, or slumbering in an undisturbed
sub-soil-but awaits their action in friable
end penetrable state, where every hungry
rootlet, sent out to gather nourshment for its
parent plant, may find and appropriate it.
1t is truly wonderful how full of minute roots
the soil of a corn6eld becomes, and if that
soil is fine and deep, the deeper and closer to-
gether will the fbres permeate and intersect
it. This is true of all other crops, and while
the leaves and fruit depend SO intimately on
the vigor and extent OF roots, these facts
should always be taken into consideration
among the objects of blowing
Fineness and depth of soil are requisite in
order to receive full benefit of the manure ap-
piled. 1t is not fertilizing food in its crude
state which assists vegetation-it must first
become mixed with, or, in fact, part Of the
soil. Barn-yard manure. especially, seems OF
little worth, while forming visible layers be-
tween the cods Of the halfpowdercd soil; it
is often dry apd coarse, and rather stunned
than sought by the roots sent out to forage
tor suitable food. 1t a well-prepared soil has
any strength or virtue, it will yield it readi-
ly; and poor land in good filth is often more
useful than better soils less perfectly pre-
pared. The influences of air and moisture
have freedom to work, and they are no lag.
CARDS in gathering means to supply the wants
of vegetation.
With these hints on the subject of blowing
we might connect others on the process-the
best means of accomplishing that object-but
prefer to leave it for other pens. Will oul
practical farmers, who have thought and ex
perimented on that subject, tell us what pillow
and what depth and width of furrow, taking
) also into into consideration the SOIL team
season, most thoroughly loosens, pulverize
and inverts the soil This information woul'
be of much value to every farmer, and is es
pecialy needed in the present state Of agri
cultural progression, taking the country a
large into account, blowing is more imperfect
ly performed than any other part of husband
ry.-Rurai New Yorker.